ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Subsidies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help is given to the Exmoor area to secure the highest possible payments in respect of EU funding for farmers.

Alun Michael: EU co-financed funds are available under the England Rural Development Programme across England, including the Exmoor area. Schemes under this programme help farmers and foresters to become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible as well as providing help to rural communities to adapt and develop. Exmoor is a designated Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and the Exmoor area was paid a total of £5.4 million under this scheme in 2003, a significant proportion of which was co-financed by the EU.

Anton Dohrn and Rosemary Bank Seamounts

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect the Anton Dohrn and Rosemary Bank Seamounts.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 17 May 2004
	Seamounts are not one of the habitats listed on Annex I to the Habitats Seamounts Directive for which Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) can be designated. However, seamounts can support habitats such as reefs, which are listed on Annex I. At present, there is little biological information about these two areas, and therefore there is insufficient information to be able to assess whether they meet the site selection criteria for SAC.
	Seamounts are one of the habitats on the initial list of threatened and/or declining habitats and species agreed by Ministers in June 2003 under OSPAR (The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) Annex V. Work is progressing during 2004 to identify and agree among contracting parties to OSPAR appropriate management measures (which may include marine protected areas) for a selection of the habitats and species on this list.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will set a timetable for coming to a conclusion about the issue of TB in badgers; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The question of what to do about a wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis is a complex one. The Government are determined to base its future TB policy on sound scientific evidence. The Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), due to be completed in 2006, should help decide whether culling badgers can form part of a cost-effective, sustainable and practical TB control policy.
	On 9 February, Defra launched a consultation on the key principles on which a new long-term strategy for tackling bovine TB will be developed. This consultation asks questions on a wide-range of issues, including how the Government can establish targets, balance costs, benefits and risks, work in partnership with all the key interest groups and how policy can be developed in the light of emerging scientific evidence. That will include evidence from the ongoing RBCT and elsewhere (including the Four Areas badger culling trial in the Republic of Ireland, when published).
	On 6 April, Defra announced the publication of a report from an independent scientific panel chaired by Professor Charles Godfray FRS. The report reviewed the progress of the RBCT and associated Defra research, as part of a wider review of Defra's science. The Government are giving careful consideration to the complex recommendations of the report, and the review's conclusions will inform Defra's wider review of TB strategy. Defra has extended the deadline for the public consultation on the TB Strategy review until 4 June, to allow sufficient time for this report to be assimilated and commented on.

Barnet Council

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the decision of Barnet council to terminate its LA21 partnership scheme.

Elliot Morley: The Government want to see sustainable development become a mainstream issue for local authorities, their partners, and local communities. We believe that the most effective way to achieve this is to build upon the experience of partnership working and community engagement gained through Local Agenda 21 (LA21) and subsume LA21 strategies within statutory community strategies. These are required, by law, to promote sustainable development. Many councils have already done this, and we encourage others to follow suit. It is for authorities to decide whether to have additional plans or a dedicated partnership to support the delivery of sustainable outcomes, but we would expect them to ensure these are in place if LA21 is to end.

Endangered Species

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to bring forward secondary legislation to implement section 307 (Enforcement of Legislation on endangered species) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 24 May 2004
	Securing these Criminal Justice Act provisions was a major step forward. New secondary legislation will give effect to the provisions to strengthen police powers and to provide for tougher penalties.
	Last year's public consultation exercise identified a number of complex issues which we need to resolve within Government but we are aiming to circulate a draft of the legislation for consultation in the autumn.

Fallen Stock

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the Fallen Stock Company to be up and running; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The National Fallen Stock Company has been up and running for some months now. It announced its proposals for a National Fallen Stock Scheme to start autumn this year on 13 May. Further details are available on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm

Farm Subsidies

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what EU rules apply to Common Agricultural Policy funds held by member states which choose to (a) place a ceiling on payments to larger farm holdings and (b) taper support payments to farm holdings degressively according to size; and what constraints this places upon the member state in respect of the impact of the redistribution of funds otherwise withheld.

Alun Michael: There are no such EU rules.

Greenhouse Gas

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take to ensure that the EU involves developing countries in future allocations of greenhouse gas emissions on an equitable per capita basis.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 20 May 2004
	The UK has had initial discussions on future action with a number of developing countries, both at official and ministerial level. For any future climate regime to be effective, it must be as inclusive as possible, and must certainly cover the main developing countries. We are committed to ensuring that developing countries are included in the early stages of the discussions on future action, not only to ensure that the outcome is acceptable to the largest emitting developing countries and we achieve as near universal acceptance as possible, but also to ensure that equity concerns are addressed.
	We will continue to engage with developing countries at all levels, both through the formal channels that exist in the UNFCCC and through informal channels. We are currently considering how to build on this dialogue and stimulate further discussion.

Health and Pesticide Exposure

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the report on the Survey of Health and Pesticide Exposure, being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and funded by her Department, is due to be published.

Alun Michael: Last July the Organophosphate Information Network informed Defra of its concerns over the conduct of the clinical phase of the study. The Department took these concerns seriously and decided to commission an independent audit of this phase of the study. On the recommendation of the Association of British Neurologists, Professor Kerry Mills from King's College Hospital London, was asked to carry out the audit. Professor Mills' prior commitments and correspondence between the physicians involved, resulted in the audit being started on 19 April this year. This process may take six months to complete.
	During the past few days my Department has asked both the hon. Member for North Cornwall and Mrs. Elizabeth Sigmund, the Chair of the Organophosphate Information Network (OPIN), for their opinions on this matter. Following this consultation, I have decided that an interim report should be published pending the completion of the audit.

Seasonal Fruit Pickers

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring takes place to ensure that seasonal fruit pickers are not paid below the minimum wage.

Alun Michael: Seasonal fruit pickers are entitled to be paid at least the appropriate Agricultural Minimum Wage set by the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales, for each hour they work. Payment of the Agricultural Minimum Wage is enforced by Defra officials of behalf of the Secretary of State. Enforcement activity is complaint led and workers can register a complaint about their pay by telephoning the Defra Agricultural Wages Team on 0845 0000 134.
	Pay rates in agriculture are surveyed on a sample basis through the Defra Earnings and Hours Survey. This survey is conducted on a quarterly basis and a summary of results is available on the Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk).

TRANSPORT

Contingency Planning

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the mobile phones and walkie-talkie communications units issued to emergency personnel who would be called upon to deal with a terrorist incident on the London Underground have the capability to work underground.

Tony McNulty: British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing on London Underground and would be amongst the first to respond to a terrorist incident on the Underground network. BTP officers have two hand-held radios, one for below ground and one for above.
	Metropolitan Police radios work on two thirds of the London Underground network. In responding to a terrorist incident, or other emergency, on the Underground, the Metropolitan Police would work closely with BTP, and most of its responsibility would be at the surface. In the event that Metropolitan Police officers were required to operate on the sections of the Underground network where their radios do not work, they would be able to communicate from below ground through BTP's radios. They would also receive communications support from London Underground staff.
	London Fire Brigade officers carry hand-held radios that work on the London Underground by means of fixed extension aerials in place in all deep level Underground stations. If required to work underground in environments where such fixed aerials are not installed, London Fire Brigade officers are able to deploy portable cable aerials enabling the radios to operate underground.
	All London Ambulance Service command vehicles carry portable cable aerials enabling London Ambulance Service radios to operate on the London Underground and other below ground environments.

Contingency Planning

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to provide training for all public transport workers in case of a serious emergency.

Tony McNulty: This is primarily a matter for each operator. London Underground, the rail and bus industries have already circulated advice to all front line staff. In addition, the Department requires London Underground to have contingency plans to deal with situations that could effect the security of its operations. These must be accessible at all times to staff at stations, so that they are fully aware of what to do in such situations, and be exercised regularly. We have made similar recommendations to all Train Operating Companies.

Bus Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his assessment is of the ability of bus operators to maintain current service levels following the increase in the price of oil.

Tony McNulty: Fuel costs represent only 6.5 per cent. of total local bus operating costs, after account is taken of support given by means of Bus Service Operators Grant, and it is not expected that recent changes in world oil prices will of themselves have a significant impact on service levels. We will however continue to monitor trends in overall bus industry costs.

Crime (Public Transport)

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many assaults and attacks where knives or firearms were used were committed on London Underground in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) have advised me that this information is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

Crime (Public Transport)

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crimes involving firearms or knives were committed on (a) buses and (b) the railways in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) have advised me that this information is not readily available for crimes committed on the railways and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. No data is held centrally regarding the number of crimes on buses since 1997 which have involved firearms or knives.

Departmental Staff

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisors and (iii) others, in (A) 1994–95, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 and (D) 2001–02.

Tony McNulty: (A) 17 permanent press officers, all members of the then Government Information Service (GIS), were employed by the former Department of Transport (central)'s Information Division in 1994–95. Further information for this financial year about numbers of other staff and salary costs of these and press officers is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	(B) Detailed information on the numbers and salary costs of permanent press officers, members of the then GIS, employed in departmental press offices, including the former Department of Transport (c) for the financial year 1996–97, was provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on the Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770) in July 1998 (http://www.publications. parliament.uk/pa/cml99798/cmselect/cmpubadm/770/77002.htm). Copies are in the Libraries of the House. Information for other staff is not available in a comparable format and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. (C-D) Information for each of the financial years 1997–98 and 2001–02, when transport policy formed part of the remit of the former Departments of Environment, Transport and the Regions and Transport, Local Government and the Regions (respectively), is not available in a comparable format.
	The Special Advisers' Code of Conduct sets out the sort of work a special adviser may undertake on behalf of their Minister. This can include communications activity. Details of the costs of Special Advisers are given on an annual basis.

Disabled Parking

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2004, Official Report, column 513W, on disabled parking, what progress has been made on (a) taking forward the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee's new recommendations, (b) revised guidance to local authorities, (c) research on the feasibility of a national database of Blue Badge holders and (d) consultation on secondary legislation for extending the scheme.

Tony McNulty: Work is continuing across all the areas of work I outlined in my previous answer in March.
	The revised guidance that will be drawn up to explain the changes I described will be produced in draft and will form part of the public consultation that will take place on the draft regulations to extend the scheme to children under two and those with temporary disabilities. That consultation is expected later this year.
	The work specification for the research on a national database is being finalised. We plan to go out to tender on that work over the summer.

Ministerial Visits

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.

Tony McNulty: Ministerial visits on official business within the United Kingdom for the period from 1 December 2003 to 30 April 2004 are given in tables 1 to 4. The visits were not made to specific constituencies and a number of visits would involve travelling to or through more than one constituency. Details of the cost of each visit could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The Government publishes on an annual basis the total costs of all ministerial
	overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Information for 2003–04 is currently being collected and will be published as soon as it is ready.
	
		Table 1: Visits by Secretary of State
		
			 Visit Date(s) of visit 
		
		
			 Opening of M6 toll road, West Midlands 9 December 2003 
			 Launch of Queen Mary 2, Southampton 8 January 2004 
			 Channel Tunnel Rail Link breakthrough, Kings Cross 27 October 2004 
			 C2C/ Ford centre of excellence, Dagenham 2 February 2004 
			 Opening of train facility, Waterloo 23 February 2004 
			 Nottingham Express Tram 8 March 2004 
			 Rail Seminar, Glasgow 26 March 2004 
			 Regional visit to North East 29 March 2004 
			 Greater Anglia Launch, Liverpool Street 1 April 2004 
			 Rail Seminar, York 23 April 2004 
			 Launch of Highways Agency Traffic Officers, Birmingham 26 April 2004 
			 Rail Seminar, Cardiff 28 April 2004 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Visits by Kim Howells
		
			 Visit Date(s) of visit 
		
		
			 Regional visit to North East 2 and 3 December 2003 
			 EWS rail freight performance discussions visit , London 17 December 2003 
			 Christmas rail blockade publicity visit, Clapham Junction 23 December 2003 
			 Regional visit to North West 21 and 22 April 2004 
			 Secure Station award presentation, Hereford 26 January 2004 
			 First Great Western rail performance discussions visit, Reading 4 February 2004 
			 Regional visit to South West 11 February 2004 
			 Trevithick Celebrations—train naming, Cardiff 18 February 2004 
			 Network Rail Scotland performance discussions visit, Edinburgh 7 April 2004 
			 South West Trains—launching digital passenger information screens, Clapham Junction 22 April 2004 
			 Rail Seminar, York 23 April 2004 
			 London Underground power control room visit, central London 27 April 2004 
			 Rail Seminar, Cardiff 28 April 2004 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Visits by David Jamieson
		
			 Visit Date(s) of visit 
		
		
			 Visit to Coventry University 4 December 2003 
			 AA Control Centre visit, Farnborough 8 December 2003 
			 Launch of Queen Mary 2, Southampton 8 January 2004 
			 Visit to Severn View "green refuelling" station, Bristol 22 January 2004 
			 'Sustainable Communities' visit, Redruth 2 February 2004 
			 Visit to Ford Plant, Southampton 26 February 2004 
			 Regional visit, Yorkshire 3 March 2004 
			 Visit to Highway Agency Office and Exeter Airport 25 March 2004 
			 RoSPA Conference, Brighton 29 March 2004 
			 DVLA Campaign, Plymouth 6 March 2004 
			 A249 Kent "sod cutting" and "Greenergy" visit, Maidstone 29 March 2004 
		
	
	
		Table 4: Visits by Tony McNulty
		
			  
			 Visit Date(s) of visit 
		
		
			 Visit to Leaside Regeneration Ltd.—Bow Flyover redesign and infrastructure improvements 4 December 2003 
			 Opening Torquay pedestrianisation scheme 8 January 2004 
			 Visit to Thames Gateway—Stratford area in relation to transport and the Olympic bid 7 January 2004 
			 Opening Harrogate bus station and a Bus Challenge project 12 January 2004 
			 Launch of "MAVIS" Rig at Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information centre, Berks and visit to Air Accident Investigation Branch 22 January 2004 
			 Havant—Government Liveability announcement 2 February 2004 
			 Tour of Thames Gateway with South Essex partnership 2 March 2004 
			 Speech to South East Regional Assembly, Woking and visit to Government Office for the South East, Guildford 3 March 2004 
			 Launch of the Solent Travelcard, Portsmouth 4 March 2004 
			 Launch of Urban Bus Challenge project, Corby 15 March 2004 
			 Opening of Surrey's Network Management Information Centre, Leatherhead 24 March 2004 
			 Visit to Com Cab taxi company, Harrow 29 March 2004 
			 Launch of a bus fleet, Hove 2 March 2004 
			 Visit to Rural Bus Challenge scheme, Doncaster 20 March 2004 
			 Opening of public transport interchange scheme, Newcastle 21 March 2004 
			 Opening of British Transport Police mobile custody suite, Stratford, London 22March 2004 
			 Visit to an urban regeneration company and viewing of Local Transport Plan funded projects, Cornwall 28 April 2004

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Parliamentary Questions to his Department in the last year took (a) two to four weeks and (b) over four weeks to answer.

Tony McNulty: At 21 May 2004, the Department for Transport had answered 3,052 written questions tabled since 18 May 2003. This comprised 2,567 written ordinary questions (98.2 per cent. of which were answered within 10 sitting days) and 485 named day questions (98.8 per cent. of which were answered within 10 sitting days).

Railways

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the performance of train operating companies to date in complying with their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 section 21(2)(d) to take reasonable steps to provide disabled persons with a reasonable alternative method of accessing their services where a physical feature makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to make use of those services;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the performance of train operating companies to date on revising and implementing new Disabled People's Protection Policies in line with the Strategic Rail Authority's Code of Practice on Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers and Guidance on Disabled People's Protection Policies;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the performance of train operating companies to date on conducting access audits and making changes to physical features to prepare for the new duties on physical access coming into force under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 on 1 October.

Tony McNulty: It is the responsibility of each train operator to comply with the requirements of Section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. All operators have been required by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to review their Disabled People's Protection Policy (DPPP). As part of the review each train operator has undertaken access audits of the facilities it operates. Train operators have a commitment to meet the services, standards and guidance defined in the SRA's Code of Practice when refurbishing rolling stock, providing new or enhanced facilities at stations and for the provision of services at stations and on trains. All train operators either have a revised DPPP approved by the SRA or are seeking such approval. Twenty Train Operating Company Disabled People's Protection Policies have been approved to date. Each revised DPPP places an obligation on the operator to provide a 'reasonable alternative means' of making a journey accessible to disabled passengers where physical barriers preclude them from doing so.

Road Traffic Accidents (A49)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries in road traffic accidents there were on the A49 between Shrewsbury and Ludlow in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The following information is taken from figures provided by West Mercia Police and incorporates the A49 from Baileys Roundabout to the Herefordshire/Shropshire County boundary.
	
		
			  Fatal Serious Slight Total 
		
		
			 1999 1 8 72 81 
			 2000 3 12 56 71 
			 2001 2 7 59 68 
			 2002 7 16 47 70 
			 2003 1 4 70 75 
			 Total 14 47 304 365

South Hampshire Rapid Transit Project

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 1576W, on South Hampshire Rapid Transit Project, if he will ensure that a decision on the future of the project is made before the 23 July deadline for using compulsory purchase powers.

Tony McNulty: A decision will be made in due course.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Abu Ghraib

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Administration, and with whom, on the cases of abuse that have taken place against Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I have regular discussions with senior members of the US Administration on a wide variety of issues concerning Iraq. It is not our practice to make public the detail of those discussions under exemption 1(b) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Abu Ghraib

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Commander of the United States forces in Iraq has had with (a) the current British representative or his predecessor to the Coalition Provisional Authority and (b) the Commander of British Forces in Iraq about the allegations made in respect of the abuse of detainees at (i) the Abu Ghraib prison and (ii) other prisons in Iraq; and what the outcome has been of communications on the matter.

Jack Straw: By the time UK officials were aware of the specific allegations the US authorities had already begun detailed investigations. We have had a number of discussions with US military and civilian authorities about the need to improve detention procedures. The US authorities have been taking measures to improve those procedures. The US military established a high level military inquiry under General Antonio Taguba in late January.

Afghanistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Belgian counterpart concerning Belgium's decision to double its military commitment to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We warmly welcome the announcement by the Belgian Prime Minister on 20 May that Belgium will double the size of its troop contingent in Afghanistan to around 600. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had the opportunity to discuss this with the Belgian Foreign Minister in the short time since the announcement was made.

Afghanistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the number of EU troops stationed in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended the Berlin Conference on Afghanistan in March and the meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in Washington on 14 May. Military support in Afghanistan was discussed at both these meetings, which were attended by a number of EU Foreign Ministers. Most recently, on 20 May the Foreign Secretary discussed the need to support the NATO mission in Afghanistan with the Spanish Foreign Minister. EU member states provide around three-quarters of the troops in the International Security Assistance Force and this is likely to increase later this year. In addition, the UK and Germany lead Provincial Reconstruction Teams in northern Afghanistan, to which EU partners and other nations contribute personnel. EU Member States also contribute forces individually to combat missions in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent guidance he has produced for diplomatic posts on the issue of overseas bribery; and what plans he has to update that guidance.

Denis MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued its latest guidance to diplomatic posts on bribery overseas on 5 April 2004. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office plans to update this guidance annually. The update may be brought forward should a change in circumstances warrant it. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will place a copy of this guidance in the Library of the House. We will also place a copy of the new UK bribery and corruption law leaflet in the Library, as soon as it is republished.

China

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which individual cases were included in the list provided by the EU to the Chinese Government during the EU and China Human Rights dialogue in Dublin on 26 to 27 February.

Bill Rammell: The EU considers the list to be confidential. I cannot, therefore, independently put the list into the public domain. There were, however, 76 names on the list.
	The individual cases raised with the Chinese in connection with last year's UK China Human Rights dialogue were: Wang Youcai; Li Wangyang; Jampel Changchub; Phuntsog Nyidron; Qin Yongmin; Zhang Shanguang; Gedhun Choekyi Nyima; Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche; Sonam Dondrub; Zhu Ruixiang; Lu Genjun; Xu Zerong; Jiang Shurang; Bishop James Su Zhimin; Shi Enxiang; Huang Qi; Yang Zili; Xu Wei; Zhang Honghai; Jin Haike; Li Jiaqing; Wang Yulan; Li Haihe; Luo Gang; He Ping; Jiang Weiping; Liu Jingsheng; Shan Chengfeng; Yan Peng; Mu Chuanheng; Zhu Baolian; Qi Yanchen; Yao Fuxin; Xiao Yunliang; Chadrel Rinpoche; Namdrol; Jiang Qisheng; Jelil Turdi; Rebiya Kadeer; Abitjan Obulkasim; Nurhahmat Yusup; Tohti Tunyaz; Jelil Turdi; Tursunjan Emet; Ablat Pasar; Iminjan; Abdushukur Abliz (Abdushukur Haji); Ahmed; Rahmatjan; Karim Sadiq; Yasim Kari; Abla Karim; Liu Weifang; Yeshe Gyatso; Liu Di; Yin Lirong; Ning Shuncheng; Zhou Yudan; Zhou Guicheng; Fan Xiaohong; Tang Ren'er; Choi Yong-hun; Rev. Choi Bong-il; Kim Hee-tae; Nima Choedron; Champa Chung-lags; Li Dexian; Wang Zhiwen; Phuntsok Legmon; Jigme Yangchen.

Coalition Provisional Authority

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place for (a) information sharing and (b) joint decisions between Paul Bremer and his American staff at the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and the United Kingdom representation in the CPA.

Jack Straw: Formally Ambassador Bremer, the Administrator, is responsible for all CPA decisions. There is close daily contact and regular consultation, however, between the American and British staff at the CPA and the Office of the United Kingdom Special Representative.

Colombia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 May 2004, Official Report, column 872W, on Colombia, if he will list the projects (a) currently run by the Child Protection Alliance in the Gambia and (b) run by the Child Protection Alliance in the Gambia in the last three years; what funding was provided by his Department through the High Commission in Banjul in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: Since the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) was founded in 2001 it has undertaken the following projects, some of which are still continuing:
	Radio/Television programmes to discuss issues related to Child Protection.
	Printing and distributing a quarterly newsletter.
	National HIV/AIDS writing competition for children.
	An assessment of all member organisations.
	A monthly "Bantaba" (Talking/Meeting Point) for relevant organisations/children.
	Printing and dissemination of the National Training Manual on Child Protection.
	Production of information materials on child protection issues.
	Sensitisation workshops on Child Sex Tourism and Commercial Exploitation of Children for stakeholders in the tourism industry.
	Training workshops for journalists on developing an ethical code of conduct for reporting issues involving children.
	Training workshop on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children for managers of hotels, guesthouses and tour operators.
	Training workshop on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children for front desk staff of hotels etc.
	Sensitisation workshop for hotel security guards on HIV/AIDS and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
	Summer camp for children on Child Rights, HIV/AIDS and Life Skills.
	National Membership Workshop on Child Rights promotion and protection in The Gambia.
	Development of a Resource Centre for CPA member organisations and researchers.
	Sensitisation workshop for Health and Social Workers on HIV/AIDS and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
	Over the last three years the British High Commission in Banjul has provided a total of £3,465 to fund a capacity building project, information campaign on child protection issues, and an assessment of member organisations.

EU Constitution

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he expects the changes made to the draft Constitutional Treaty to give the Commission strategic control over oil supplies; how he interprets strategic control in this context; and what he estimates the effect will be on the British oil industry.

Denis MacShane: The Government was content with the amendments to the Energy Chapter (Article III. 157) put forward by the Italian Presidency in document CIG 60/04 ADD 1 (published on 9 December and placed in the Library of the House). These made it clear that the member states retained the right to choose how to exploit their natural resources and to ensure security of supply during emergencies. The Irish Presidency's latest package of amendments (in document CIG 76/04 published on 13 May and placed in the Library of the House) proposed the deletion of the Energy Chapter and removed energy from the list of shared competences in the draft Constitutional Treaty. The Government are also content with this approach which would reflect the position in the existing Treaties.

Ferry Accident (West Africa)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the Government is providing to the search for the ferry stranded off the West African coast since 18 May carrying Liberian refugees from Nigeria and Ghana; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: None. The French navy rescued the stranded ship 'Dona Elvira', 250 kms off the Ivorian coast on 20 May. The ship contained over 300 returning Liberian refugees who are now in the care of the UN High Commission for Refugees.

Guantanamo Bay

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the United States concerning the disapplication of the Geneva Convention in respect of the detainees held in Guantanamo Bay.

Chris Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular contact with his US counterpart on a wide range of issues, including Guantanamo Bay.
	The focus of the Government's discussions with the US authorities about Guantanamo Bay has been on how to resolve the position of the British nationals held there, as well as their welfare.
	The Government's position is that the British detainees should either be tried fairly in accordance with international law or they should be returned to the UK. Our hope, however, is that the issues we have raised will be reflected in the treatment of other countries' nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay too.
	We have made very clear to the US that the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay are entitled to be treated humanely. British officials have visited Guantanamo Bay on seven occasions to check on the welfare of the British detainees, most recently in March. We have raised any concerns we might have about their welfare with the US authorities.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who within the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority has responsibility to monitor and ensure that Geneva Convention requirements are met by coalition forces; how often such monitoring is conducted; and to whom the individual or individuals report their findings.

Jack Straw: The Coalition Provisional Authority itself is not responsible for monitoring the application of the Geneva Conventions. Instead, it is coalition military commanders in theatre who are responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the Geneva Conventions are met.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the oral and written concerns made by the International Committee of the Red Cross Coalition forces during 2003 were received by his Department; and what action was taken.

Jack Straw: Throughout 2003, once it was clear that there was a possibility of UK troops becoming involved in Iraq, there were regular and co-operative discussions between Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers and officials and the ICRC on Iraq.
	During these meetings, the ICRC briefed on the general humanitarian situation in Iraq and reminded us of our international humanitarian law obligations concerning detainees. Our records do not indicate that any specific oral or written concerns about coalition forces were passed to the FCO in 2003. As is standard practice, they would have been passed in the first instance to the authorities directly responsible for the treatment of detainees. I have no reason to doubt that the UK military authorities responsible for detainees in Iraq took appropriate action in response to any ICRC concerns. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Ingram) made clear in the House on 13 May, HMG co-operates fully with the ICRC. It is offered full access to the detention facilities that we operate and each concern that it brings to our attention is treated very seriously and investigated fully.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was informed that the International Committee of the Red Cross report of February 2004 had been received by his Department; and when he asked to see it.

Jack Straw: As I said in the House on 11 May, I was made aware of the ICRC report during the weekend of 8–9 May 2004.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by the Coalition Provisional Authority to investigate the allegations of brutality and illegality by Iraqi police, contained in the International Committee of the Red Cross report of February 2004.

Jack Straw: As part of its responsibilities the Coalition Provisional Authority created within the Iraqi Ministry of Interior an internal affairs department that is tasked with leading on all such investigations. A team of international police advisers supports and monitors the progress and work of this department.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Secretary of State, Mr.Colin Powell, concerning the International Committee of the Red Cross report of February 2004.

Jack Straw: I have regular discussions with Secretary Powell during which a wide variety of issues concerning Iraq are discussed. It is not our practice to make public the detail of those discussions under exemption 1 (b) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place, upon receipt of the International Committee of the Red Cross report of February 2004, between British and US officials of the Coalition Provisional Authority.

Jack Straw: British officials attended a meeting between Ambassador Bremer and the ICRC on 26 February at which the ICRC report was handed to Ambassador Bremer. Follow-up discussions with US officials confirmed the previous US announcement that the US military investigation had begun as soon as the allegations about mistreatment at Abu Ghraib were brought to light in January.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Sir Jeremy Greenstock's Office did not immediately forward to his Department the International Committee of the Red Cross report of February on receipt.

Jack Straw: The ICRC report was formally presented to the Coalition Provisional Authority Administrator in Baghdad by a representative of the ICRC at a meeting on 26 February. UK officials attended. A report of the meeting was sent to London by telegram within 24 hours. A copy of the report had already been passed to Permanent Joint Headquarters. The Office of the UK Special Representative was assured that investigations had already been launched into allegations involving US forces. The office sought and received confirmation that allegations involving misconduct by UK forces were also already under investigation.

Iraq

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) instruction and (b) guidance his (i) officials and (ii) Ministers were following prior to the decision not to make the February International Committee of the Red Cross report available to him as soon as it became available to his Department.

Jack Straw: holding answer 19 May 2004
	Ministers and officials follow standard procedures to ensure that the UK's obligations under international law are fully respected. As has been made clear, action was already in hand on the allegations concerning UK forces.

Iraq

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) written and (b) oral briefing was provided by officials in his Department to inform (i) him and (ii) his Ministers of the contents of the International Committee of the Red Cross report and actions taken (A) as a result of officials having read the report and (B) prior to the full report being made available to him.

Jack Straw: holding answer 19 May 2004
	Officials in Baghdad took appropriate action as soon as the report was received in February to pass it back to Permanent Joint Head Quarters for confirmation that action on all those areas concerning UK forces was already in hand. Officials in Baghdad were also assured that investigations had already been launched into allegations involving US forces.
	My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was made aware of the report (though not given a copy) at a meeting in Geneva on 18 March with Dr. Kellenberger, President of the ICRC. On his return to London, Mr. Rammell discussed the concerns raised by Dr. Kellenberger with officials, and was satisfied that action was in hand to deal with the allegations concerning UK troops. I became aware of the ICRC report on the weekend of 8–9 May.
	My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Minister of State at the FCO, was briefed in general terms on detainee issues on 27 April in advance of taking a question in the House of Lords on the Amnesty International report "Iraq: One Year On". The ICRC was not covered.

Iraq

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which member of the Government was first informed of the International Committee of the Red Cross Report on the treatment by coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq and its contents; and when this was.

Jack Straw: holding answer 17 May 2004
	I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, was the first Minister to be made aware of the report which as he has already made clear was in February. My right hon. Friend had already been aware for some months of two substantive issues raised in respect of UK forces, and of the action taken.

Iraq

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral answers of 11 May 2004, on Iraq, when the International Committee of the Red Cross Report was received at the Foreign Office; and what action was taken.

Jack Straw: holding answer 17 May 2004
	A copy of the ICRC report was obtained by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official during a visit to Baghdad on 19 March. It was not marked for Ministers' attention as MOD action was already in hand on the allegations concerning UK forces.

Iraq

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his letter placed in the Library on 11 May concerning the handling of the International Committee of the Red Cross report and the telegram sent to London by the office of the UK Special Representative for Iraq on 27 February, which office received the telegram; to which Department and to which Ministers and senior officials the telegram was subsequently distributed; and when the telegram was distributed.

Jack Straw: holding answer 18 May 2004
	According to records in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Communications Centre the telegram referred to was received on 27 February 2004 in the FCO and other relevant Government Departments. Records indicate that it was distributed at official level to private offices. It was not marked for ministerial attention. Action was already in hand on the allegations concerning UK forces.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) his United States counterpart and (b) the United States Secretary of Defence in respect of the use by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq of private contractors to (i) conduct interviews and (ii) otherwise manage detainees.

Jack Straw: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Tom Cox) today (UIN 173074).

Iraq

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether funds generated from oil assets in Iraq are ring-fenced for that country's domestic use; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483 of 22 May 2003 decided that all proceeds from sale of Iraq's oil should go into the Development Fund for Iraq to meet the needs of the Iraqi people and the costs of economic reconstruction and civilian administration.
	UNSCR 1483 also decided that Iraq's oil wealth should be ring-fenced from external attachment and legal proceedings and calls upon member states to take all necessary steps to assure this protection.
	The only exception to this is that 5 per cent. of proceeds from oil should be deposited in the United Nations Compensation Fund for Kuwait established in accordance with UNSCR 687 of 1991 and subsequent relevant resolutions. As outlined in UNSCR 1483 this latter requirement will be binding on an internationally recognised sovereign government of Iraq unless that government and the Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission decide otherwise.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 199W, on Iraq, how many Iraqis are being consulted through the process being led by UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi; and what the UK Government's policy is on his recommendations on (a) the structure and personnel of the Interim Government and (b) the best method of selecting delegates to the planned National Conference.

Bill Rammell: The UN Secretary General Adviser on Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi continues to consult a large number of Iraqis in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq in his efforts to help forge Iraqi consensus on the formation of the Interim Government. We warmly welcome Brahimi's initial proposals and look forward to Iraqi agreement on the way forward by the end of May.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from what source of funds the money for bounties for the capture of wanted individuals in Iraq comes; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Her Majesty's Government does not offer bounties for the capture of wanted individuals in Iraq.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  between what dates the September 2002 source upon which the Government based its claim that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa indicated that the attempted procurement took place;
	(2)  whether the documentary evidence reported in June 2002, referred to in Paragraph 89 of the Intelligence and Security Committee report, Cm 5972, upon which the Government did not rely to back up its claim that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa, was found to be (a) forged and (b) the same as any of the documents described as forged by the International Atomic Energy Agency on 7 March 2003;
	(3)  whether the Government have established the origin and history of the documents referred to as still under consideration in Paragraph 4 of the Further Supplementary Memorandum from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Iraqi Attempts To Procure Uranium, of July 2003, Written Evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ninth Report, HC 813-II.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave on 6 May 2004, Official Report, column 1733W.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Intelligence and Security Committee (a) requested and (b) saw the intelligence (i) upon which the Government based its claim that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa and (ii) considered by the International Atomic Energy Agency to be forged which was released to the Secret Intelligence Service by the third party in question and referred to in paragraph 92 of the ISC report, Cm 5972.

Denis MacShane: I have nothing to add to the Intelligence and Security Committee's account of their inquiry into this matter, given in paragraphs 87–93 of their report (Cmnd 5972).

International Cricket

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the International Cricket Council regarding the rules operated by the ICC in respect of cricket tour cancellations.

Chris Mullin: There have been no such discussions.

Israel

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the report by Amnesty International, "Israel and the Occupied Territories—Under the rubble: House demolition and destruction of land and property", published on 18 May.

Jack Straw: We share Amnesty International's concerns about deteriorating housing conditions in the Occupied Territories and the wider human rights and humanitarian consequences of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a press statement on 17 May I expressed my concern at the demolition of Palestinian homes in Rafah. These actions are contrary to Israel's commitments under the roadmap and are unacceptable. And on 19 May, I expressed my profound concern about the deaths of Palestinian civilians demonstrating against house demolitions. Copies of both my statements are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases. Demolitions are provocative, exacerbate tension and undermine ongoing efforts to bring about an end to violence and a return to negotiations. Israel must act within international law and refrain from using excessive force and taking actions which amount to collective punishment. The UK voted for UNSCR 1544 which condemned Israel's actions on 19 May 2004.

Kenya

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the new Kenyan Government since the general election in Kenya in December 2002; and what issues were discussed.

Chris Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Kenyan Foreign Minister, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka in February 2003. Issues discussed were the priorities for the new Kenyan government, Iraq, Zimbabwe and terrorism.
	On 29 April 2004, I met the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kiraitu Murungi, to discuss Constitutional and other reforms, including anti-corruption, and Julie Ward. In June 2003 I met the then Vice-President, Michael Wamalawa, and in October 2003, Foreign Minister Musyoka and a delegation of Kenyan Ministers. In October 2003 I visited Kenya, meeting President Mwai Kibaki and members of his government.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I met President Kibaki on 9 October 2003.

Victor Bout

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the freezing of assets owned by Mr. Victor Bout; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the UK removing Mr. Bout's name from a list of individuals to be targeted by United Nations sanctions.

Jack Straw: holding answer 25 May 2004
	The UK has consistently supported international efforts to end Victor Bout's illegal activities, and UK Ministers have publicly welcomed action taken against his sanctions-busting activities. Our commitment to dealing with arms traffickers/sanctions busters is second to none, and a matter of public record.
	I am unable to comment on specific nominations under discussion in the United Nations Security Council for the asset freeze imposed by UNSCR 1532. To do so would risk capital flight.

Victor Bout

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations the Department has carried out into the activities of Victor Bout.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not have investigative authority/powers. We pass any information we receive concerning alleged breaches of arms embargoes and sanctions regimes to the appropriate investigative authorities.
	FCO Ministers have publicly stated our position on Victor Bout and his sanctions-busting activities. On 7 November 2000 my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State at the FCO said in the House that Victor Bout is "the chief sanctions buster, and is a merchant of death . . . " Official Report, column 156. On 2 May 2002, my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCO said in the House, "I hope that . . . increased international pressure on Bout will finally result in the end of his sanctions-busting activities and that he will be brought to justice. The UK has played a leading role in drawing international attention to Bout's illegal activities . . . " Official Report, column 929W.

Qualified Majority Voting

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions when the UK has been outvoted when Qualified Majority Voting in the European Council has applied in every year since 1992, stating in each case the issue concerned; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The European Council does not take decisions by Qualified Majority Voting (QMV), but agrees Presidency conclusions by consensus. The Council of Ministers does take decisions by QMV on legislation where the legal base so provides. Since January 2001, details of voting in the Council of Ministers have been published by the Council Secretariat in its monthly summaries of Council acts. These can be accessed on the Council's internet site at: http://ue.eu.int/cms3   applications/showPage.asp?id=551&lang=:en&mode=g.

Sudan

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the UK Government and the Government of Sudan regarding reports of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region of Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Ladywood (Clare Short) on 25 May 2004 (UIN 175841).

Travel Costs

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the travel costs incurred (a) by his Department and (b) by each Minister within his Department, for each of the last 10 years.

Jack Straw: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's answer on 16 July 2003 Official Report, column 328W. A figure for the financial year 2003–2004 will be published as soon as possible.
	In addition, since 1999 the Government has published an annual list of all visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. Details for the financial year 2003–2004 will be published as soon as possible. Copies of these lists can be found in the Library of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 12 May, Official Report, column 385W, on Iraq, whether the employment of civilian contractors and interpreters in Abu Ghraib prison was (a) known to and (b) sanctioned by the Coalition Provisional Authority.

Tony Blair: The employment of civilian contractors and interpreters in Abu Ghraib prison is a matter for the US authorities.

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will list the travel costs incurred by his Office for each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how much his Office spent on ministerial travel by (a) car, (b) train, (c) aeroplane and (d) helicopter, in each of the last 10 years.

Tony Blair: For travel costs prior to 2002, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 13 November 2003, Official Report, columns 397–398W.
	For information for 2002–03, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Plaskitt) on 16 July 2003, Official Report, columns 327–328W.
	Travel costs for 2003–04 are currently being collated and will be published in the normal way before the summer recess. Copies for previous years are available in the Library of the House.
	I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in Chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document, "Travel by Ministers".

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Prime Minister how many journeys he made by helicopter in each of the last 10 years; and what the journey length was in each case.

Tony Blair: On average, I have made around twenty trips by helicopter in each year since May 1997, all of varying length.
	I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document, "Travel by Ministers".

NORTHERN IRELAND

Irish Culture

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the amount of public money spent by his Department since 1998 on the promotion of (a) Irish culture and language and (b) Ulster Scots culture and language.

Angela Smith: Under the arrangements for North South Bodies the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure is providing £1,277,000 to the Ulster Scots Agency and £3,224,000 to the Irish Language Agency. This does not include additional funding provided from the Department's mainstream programme to projects which may have an Irish or Ulster Scots cultural or language dimension.

Organised Crime

Malcolm Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to tackle organised crime in Northern Ireland.

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on measures to combat organised crime in Northern Ireland.

Ian Pearson: The Organised Crime Task Force continues to set the strategic direction for a multi agency approach to tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland. The 4th annual Threat Assessment and Strategy which was published by the Task Force on 11 May describes in detail both the extent of the problem, the successes that the law enforcement agencies have had against organised criminals, and the objectives of the Task Force.
	I pay tribute to the PSNI, HM Customs and Excise and the Assets Recovery Agency for their on-going commitment and effectiveness.

People Trafficking

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations he has received since January 2002 concerning the trafficking of people in Northern Ireland.

Ian Pearson: I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has shown an interest in this matter. The UK Immigration Service continues to liaise closely with the PSNI and the authorities in the Republic of Ireland with a view to apprehending offenders and prosecuting those who facilitate the entry of immigration offenders.

Prisoners (Early Release)

David Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had recently with the Irish Government on the provisions of the Belfast agreement on the early release of prisoners.

Paul Murphy: I have not discussed the issue in recent weeks with the Irish Government.

Racism

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to tackle racism in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: The Government have frequently put on record their abhorrence of all forms of intolerance and racism.
	We have published draft legislation to give courts stronger sentencing powers for "hate crimes". Enforcement action by the PSNI will be the key to tackling racism alongside our Community Safety Strategy and measures being taken through education, housing, health and social policy.

Peace Process

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process.

Paul Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bracknell (Mr. Mackay).

Good Friday Agreement

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on changes in the Northern Ireland economy since the Good Friday Agreement.

Barry Gardiner: Official statistics show that since 1998, when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, the Northern Ireland Economy has performed remarkably well. Employment is at record levels, increasing by 61,540 jobs since March 1998 and the current unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent. is 2.8 percentage points below the EU 15 average. Since 1998 growth in Gross Value Added of 19.1 per cent. makes Northern Ireland one of the fastest growing UK regions.
	While these headline figures are encouraging, manufacturing employment has declined and the levels of economic inactivity remains high relative to other UK regions.

Good Friday Agreement

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with political parties in Northern Ireland on restoring the Good Friday Agreement institutions.

Paul Murphy: Discussions with the parties took place on 27 April and 4 May as part of the Review of the Belfast Agreement. There is now a break in formal Review talks for the period of the European election campaign, although informal contacts continue with the parties. Formal Review activity will recommence after 10 June, and we hope to engage soon after in a period of intensive dialogue.

Sinn Fein

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further action he intends to take against Sinn Féin in the light of the Independent Monitoring Commission's finding that Sinn Fein has responsibility for paramilitary violence.

Paul Murphy: We have already taken steps to implement the IMC recommendation in respect of both Sinn Féin and the PUP by suspending their entitlement to block financial assistance for a period of 12 months. Clearly we will wish to see significant progress by the time of the next IMC report in October. If there is not, we shall need to consider what steps might then be appropriate.

Average Earnings

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average earnings in Northern Ireland are; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: Average gross weekly earnings of all full-time adult employees in Northern Ireland was £404.50 at April 2003.

Beef

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of beef sold in Northern Ireland in 2003 was (a) locally produced and (b) imported from Great Britain.

Ian Pearson: Trade in beef is governed by EU single market principles. Statistical information is therefore not available to distinguish beef sales in NI between locally produced and imported beef. Discussions with the industry, however, have indicated that the majority of such sales would be from locally produced animals, with only a small amount relating to GB imports or imports directly from Third countries.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) average waiting time and (b) longest time an individual has been waiting for   a mammogram is at each of the Province's cancer units.

Angela Smith: This information is not collected centrally.

Dentistry

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dentists commenced practice in the province in each year since 1990; how many were full-time in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not readily available for historic dental practitioner registrations prior to October 2002 when the dental list database was replaced. For the 2003 calendar year the figure was 58. There is no split available by full-time and part-time for dental practitioners. The figure includes new fully qualified dentists, dentists who have moved/returned to the province from Great Britain/Republic of Ireland and dentists who have returned to work after a career break. The figure excludes assistants who are employed directly by a dentist and work under the dentists' contract.
	During a year there are also 24 Vocational Dental Practitioners who serve a year working with an established dental practitioner prior to starting working under their own contract within Northern Ireland.

Diabetes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the Crest recommendations on diabetes care (a) have been implemented and (b) will be implemented within the next 12 months.

Angela Smith: The Crest Taskforce report on the development of services for people with diabetes contains a wide range of recommendations covering the full spectrum of the condition, from screening for people with a higher risk of developing the disease to the prevention and treatment of diabetes. The report acknowledged that implementation of the framework would require a time frame of 5–10 years.
	The Department has allocated an additional £1 million for the development of diabetes services in 2004–05. Priorities for Action requires Health and Social Services Boards to take forward the recommendations of the Taskforce, on a prioritised basis, within a framework to be agreed with the Department by the end of May 2004.

Equal Opportunity Complaints

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many equal opportunity complaints have been lodged with industrial tribunals in Northern Ireland in the last five years; and how many of these were (a) rejected initially, (b) settled, (c) heard and upheld and (d) heard and rejected.

Barry Gardiner: This information is not readily available and will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Lady with details as soon as possible. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Fibromyalgia

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to fund alternative treatment of fibromyalgia in the national health service in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: There are no specific plans to fund alternative medicine for the treatment of fibromyalgia in the HPSS. Alternative medicine and therapies may be provided within available HPSS resources if the clinician considers that these are the most appropriate treatments for an individual patient.

Private Health Care

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of Agenda for Change on the private sector in health care in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The new HPSS pay system, Agenda for Change, has been designed around jobs within the NHS across the UK, and when implemented it will only directly be applied to jobs that are within the range of NHS organisations. It is acknowledged however, that any amendment to the terms and conditions of employment of HPSS personnel could have implications for the terms and conditions of staff employed within the private or voluntary health sector.
	While the setting of pay rates and defining of terms and conditions for such employees is a matter for the individual independent employers concerned, my Department recognises the financial pressures facing independent sector nursing and residential homes and has made provision for above inflation increases in the regional tariffs over the past three years. This has meant for example an increase of almost 20 per cent. in the weekly fee paid by Trusts for a nursing home place for an elderly person since 2001–02.
	The Department has also commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake research into the specific costs of providing nursing, residential home and domiciliary care in Northern Ireland. The consultants are expected to present their final report in June 2004, in time for the research to inform budget decisions from April 2005

Private Health Care

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people on Northern Ireland waiting lists have had medical treatment in other parts of the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The following table shows the number of patients from Northern Ireland who have received medical treatment in other parts of the United Kingdom, in the years 1999–2000 to 2003–04, as part of waiting list initiatives.
	
		
			  Number of patients transferred to UK for treatment 
		
		
			 1999–2000(1) 90 
			 2000–01 145 
			 2001–02 268 
			 2002–03 269 
			 2003–04 164 
		
	
	(1) Eastern Health and Social Services Board and Northern Health and Social Services Board were unable to provide figures for 1999–2000.
	Source:
	Health and Social Services Boards.

Private Health Care

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trained nursing staff from outside the United Kingdom are working in Northern Ireland's hospitals.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Strangford (Mrs. Robinson) on 18 May 2004, Official Report, column 943W, Question Reference 173742.

Maternity Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on (a) the frequency of epidural use in deliveries in Northern Ireland and (b) changes in that frequency in the last 30 years.

Angela Smith: The information is as follows.
	(a) In 2003, the latest year for which figures on pain relief in deliveries are available, there were 5,632 births delivered in Northern Ireland using epidural as a form of pain relief.
	(b) In 1994, the earliest year for which data on pain relief in deliveries are available, there were 3,917 births delivered in Northern Ireland using epidural as a form of pain relief.
	Over this 10-year period, the proportion of births occurring to Northern Ireland residents in Northern Ireland where epidural was used as a method of pain relief increased from 16 per cent. in 1994 to 26 per cent. in 2003.
	The rise in uptake is driven by a number of factors including increased availability and mothers' choice. Mothers are given information antenatally on the forms of pain relief available. Information on epidural is one of the options discussed. Mothers can then make an informed choice as to the method of pain relief they desire during delivery.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on neighbourhood renewal; what the timescale is for each stage of the process; and when money will be released for each stage.

John Spellar: The Department for Social Development launched the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, "People and Place" in June 2003. The Strategy did not specify detailed implementation arrangements, indicating instead that an engagement process would be undertaken to agree implementation arrangements for Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Regional Towns and Cities. This exercise is now complete and the findings from these consultation exercises will be published in the near future.
	In addition, interim funding arrangements have been put in place from 1 April 2004 to ensure the continuation of over 100 community projects, which are deemed important to the implementation of Neighbourhood Renewal.
	To support the Strategy a Ministerial Working Group on Neighbourhood Renewal was established to oversee the implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. This group has met on two occasions.
	The Ministerial Group has approved the timetable for the establishment of the Neighbourhood Partnership Boards. The Department's aim is to have Neighbourhood Partnership Board, established in the selected areas, by July 2005, with the majority in operation well before this. Funding will be made available to these groups to enable them to develop their Neighbourhood Action Plans. It is the intention of the Department to have all Neighbourhood Action Plans approved by May 2006, again with the majority approved well in advance of this date.
	I am also pleased to say that, in March 2004, Department for Social Development launched a scheme under the Neighbourhood Renewal banner, to provide financial assistance to Post Offices in deprived urban areas, which are under the threat of closure.

Recycling

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in Northern Ireland during the last three years to reach Government recycling targets.

Angela Smith: The Waste Management Strategy for Northern Ireland set targets for the recovery of household waste (25 per cent. by 2005–06) and a reduction in the landfilling of industrial and commercial waste (to 85 per cent. of 1998 levels by 2005).
	The household waste recovery rate has increased steadily since 1998–99 when it was 4.9 per cent. The following table shows year on year figures. The 2003 figures are still being collated and will be available in June 2004. These however are expected to show a further improvement. The 2002 survey of industrial and commercial waste arisings indicated a 36.8 per cent. reduction in landfilling of industrial and commercial waste since 1998.
	
		percentage
		
			  Household recovery rate (recycling and composting) 
		
		
			 1998–99 4.9 
			 1999–2000 6.6 
			 2001 8.9 
			 2002 9.8 
			 2003 (2)— 
		
	
	(2) Not available until June 2004.

Residential Homes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on changes in the cost of care at residential homes.

Angela Smith: Residential homes may charge individual residents different amounts based on the type and extent of care needed and the standard of facilities and accommodation provided. For those residents who are not self-funding, Health and Social Services Trusts will normally pay agreed regional tariffs for the appropriate standard placement for each class of resident. In recognition of the increased pressures faced by the independent care home sector, the Department has made significant additional resources available to provide for increases above inflation. Above inflation increases have been made in each year since 2001–02 and the additional money this year has enabled Health and Social Services Trusts to increase rates paid for an elderly residential home place from £230 in 2001–02 to £273 in 2004–05, an increase of around 16 per cent.

Special Schools

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the costs of educating every child currently in a special school in Northern Ireland in a mainstream school.

Barry Gardiner: I have not made an estimate of this kind. The forthcoming Special Educational Needs and Disability Order aims to strengthen the right of children with special educational needs to be educated in mainstream schools. Any costs arising from this will be dependent on the nature and extent of the exercise of this right over time, and will depend on the needs of the individual child. Educational provision will continue to be tailored to meet these needs, whether in mainstream schools, special units attached to mainstream schools, or special schools. I anticipate that special schools will continue to play a vital role in supporting pupils with significant and complex needs, in accordance with parental wishes and professional advice, and that they are likely to develop their role further in the future in the provision of specialist advice and support to mainstream schools.
	The Government's investment of significant capital funding in the schools estate will continue to improve disabled access. In particular, all new and recently built or refurbished schools will comply with the requirements for physical access contained in the draft Special Educational Needs and Disability Order.

Teenage Pregnancy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what plans he has for youth development programmes to reduce teenage pregnancy rates;
	(2)if he will introduce a young people's development programme similar to that launched by the Departments of Health and Education and Skills.

Angela Smith: A multi-agency Implementation Group is overseeing and driving forward the 21 actions set out in the Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Strategy and Action Plan. One of the action points in the plan is the further development, particularly in areas of socio-economic deprivation and rural areas, of community based teenage personal development programmes that incorporate sexual health issues and risk taking behaviour. These programmes are being taken forward by Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts in partnership with the voluntary and community organisations and are tailored to the needs of our population.
	The young people's development programme in England is a three year pilot exercise which is the subject of on-going evaluation. The findings are unlikely to be available until April 2007. Officials here will be liaising with colleagues in the Department of Health to monitor developments.

Teenage Pregnancy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many females aged between 11 and 19 years were fitted with contraceptive implants in Northern Ireland in each year since 2000, broken down by age.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available.

Transmitter Masts

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has collated in relation to health risks associated with the provision of transmitter masts in residential areas.

Angela Smith: The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) published a report on the subject of mobile phone technology in May 2000. It concluded that the balance of evidence indicated that there was no general risk to the health of people living near the base stations on the basis that exposures were expected to be small fractions of the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
	This position has been confirmed through the ongoing random audit of base stations being undertaken by the Radiocommunications Agency (now part of the Office of Communications—Ofcom). In the course of this audit programme almost 20 surveys were conducted at sites here in Northern Ireland during 2001 and 2002, mainly at schools and two at hospitals. Measurement of emissions in every case showed these to be hundreds and sometimes thousands of times below the ICNIRP guidelines.
	In January 2004 in a report made to the National Radiological Protection Board, the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR), having reviewed the evidence for health effects especially in work published since the IEGMP Report, concluded that
	"exposure levels from living near to mobile phone base stations are extremely low, and the overall evidence indicates that they are unlikely to pose a threat to health."

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Computer File Formats

Richard Allan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's policy is in respect of the computer file formats used for the (a) distribution and (b) archiving of publicly available documents.

Yvette Cooper: All documents published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website, both current and archived, are in either HTML and/or PDF format, with the exception of some statistical data which are available in Excel spreadsheet format.

Departmental Staff

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisors and (iii) others, in (A) 1994–95, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 and (D) 2001–02.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Information for periods prior to this date is not available.

Extra Care Housing

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what definition of extra care housing his Department uses in collecting Supporting People mapping data.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not issued a specific definition of extra care housing for the purposes of Supporting People mapping data. The relevant guidance does, however, include a definition of very sheltered housing for older people as:
	"sheltered accommodation for physically or mentally frail older people, with on-site support and enhanced communal facilities, specialist design features and the capacity to offer a range of care and support services".
	Most extra care housing would, in practice, fall within this definition.

High Hedges

Richard Spring: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the findings of the public consultation in England on the measures in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 dealing with high hedges will be published.

Yvette Cooper: The public consultation on implementing Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 runs until 30 June. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to report the results of the consultation and to bring the legislation into operation towards the end of 2004.

Housing Stock Transfer

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department (a) expects to spend in this financial year and (b) spend in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) 2003–04 on writing off overhanging debt for local authorities that transfer their housing; and from which budget this sum is allocated.

Keith Hill: Payments to meet local authorities' overhanging debt are made where the value of the housing stock is less than a local authority's associated housing debt. It is estimated that if all the housing transfers programmed to transfer in 2004–05 secure a positive ballot and transfer this financial year then the 2004–05 provision for making Overhanging Debt payments of £616 million would be used in full. £548.2 million was paid in 2002–03 and £90.9 million in 2003–04. The payment reflects the liability the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would otherwise have to pay continuing subsidy on a local authority's housing attributable debt. It is not possible to use this resource for capital purposes.

Information and Communication Technology

Si�n Simon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year.

Yvette Cooper: Basic information and communication technology (ICT) training is given to all staff of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Specific supplementary courses of training are available depending on the needs of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and those of individual members of staff.
	Each business unit is responsible for its training budget, and the information technology (IT) element is not identified separately.

Information and Communication Technology

Si�n Simon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.

Yvette Cooper: To improve specialist skills and capability in information and communication technology (ICT), the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is establishing an e-Implementers Group to promote and disseminate and develop best practice to staff working on ICT and e-Business projects. We will also start piloting the European Computer Driving Licence in June 2004. This is an internationally recognised qualification that enables people to demonstrate their computer skills.
	The improvement of ICT skills forms part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Ministers Development and Training Strategy, providing the skills, knowledge and competencies needed for particular roles. This process is managed and monitored through the Performance Management process.

Local Authority Planning Enforcement Officers

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of whether local authority planning enforcement officers have sufficient (a) manpower resources and (b) funding adequately to control developers to ensure that the residents of communities are not put at risk by the acts or omissions of developers.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made such an assessment. We have, however, received a number of responses to our consultation on the review of the Planning Enforcement system expressing the view that local authorities do not put sufficient resources into enforcement. We are making 350 million of additional funding available to local planning authorities through the planning delivery grant. The grant is not ring-fenced and local planning authorities may use it to make staff and financial resources available for planning enforcement.

Rail Freight Sites

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the proposed siting of rail freight interchanges and freight villages in St. Albans and Park Street village green belt areas.

Keith Hill: The Government have received no firm proposals concerning the siting of a rail freight interchange in St. Albans and Park Street village green belt areas. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is aware that a developer is considering putting forward such a proposal, but it would be inappropriate to comment on the proposal at this stage as it may come before the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister for determination. Should such a proposal be brought forward it would need to go through the usual planning procedures relating to green belt areas.

Telecommunications Installations

Colin Burgon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the Mobile Phone Operators Association to discuss the workings of their voluntary code in relation to the T-Mobile installation at Bardsey in the Elmet constituency.

Yvette Cooper: It would be inappropriate for any Minister in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss an individual planning case in any circumstances because of the appellate function of the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Staff

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department and its agencies were seconded from the (a) private and (b) academic sector in each of the last three years.

Richard Caborn: There have been no secondments to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or its Agency from the private or academic sectors in the last three years.

Departmental Staff

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people have left employment in her Department because of (a) anxiety, (b) stress, (c) depression and (d) other mental health reasons in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Records are not maintained by DCMS which enable the identification of the reason for leaving the Department to be broken down into anxiety, stress, depression and other mental health reasons.
	DCMS has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and guidance is available for all staff on how to manage stress effectively.

New Opportunities Fund

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Blackpool, North and Fleetwood in each year since 1997.

Estelle Morris: The New Opportunities Fund began making grants in 1999. The awards to Blackpool, North and Fleetwood are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Financial Year Amount () 
		
		
			 19992000 28,577 
			 200001 354,326 
			 200102 360,495 
			 200203 489,523 
			 200304 525 
		
	
	The information is freely available from the Department's searchable Lottery award database at: www.lottery.culture.gsi.gov.uk which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Anti-crime Initiatives (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood)

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in (a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle theft in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood has been since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally. Blackpool is a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has only been published from 19992000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 200203 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics. org.uk

Bribery/Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the National Crime Squad has (a) been involved in investigations and (b) conducted investigations of its own into bribery of foreign public officials.

Caroline Flint: The National Crime Squad (NCS) has not yet been involved in investigations or conducted investigations of its own into bribery of foreign public officials.
	The National Crime Squad is one of the agencies that is party to the Memorandum of Understanding on overseas corruption. Under this agreement, the NCS may provide assistance where there is clear need for pro-active policing techniques or where support is needed by local forces.

Car Parking/Clamping

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether car park operators are to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Private Security Industry Act (SIA) 2001 sets out details of conduct prohibited without a licence. If the duties of a car park operator include as part of their routine duties any such activity, they will require the relevant SIA licence.

Car Parking/Clamping

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether the Security Industry Authority plans to set up a system (a) to license individual wheel clampers and (b) to license the land on which they may clamp;
	(2)  whether the Security Industry Authority's licensing system for wheel clamping will be backed up by a mandatory code of practice relating to (a) size of fines, (b) warning signs, (c) uniforms and (d) methods of payment;
	(3)  how many licences for wheel clampers on private land have been issued since 1 April 2003.

Hazel Blears: Vehicle immobilisers will be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) under the authority of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, from the end of 2004. There are no powers within the Act to license the land on which clamping operations take place. The SIA will shortly publish its competency requirements for licensing purposes. These are likely to include training in requirements as to such matters as the proper use of warning signs, uniforms and methods of payment. The SIA is currently examining what role, if any, a code of practice might play in licensing.

Car Parking/Clamping

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the towing away of vehicles will be brought into the licensing remit of the Security Industry Authority.

Hazel Blears: In light of the Regulatory Impact Assessment undertaken last year, we have accepted the Security Industry Authority's recommendation that the towing away of vehicles should be a licensable activity and regulations to give effect to this will be introduced in due course.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 5 April 2004, with regard to Iqbal Hussain;
	(2)  when he will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 5 April 2004, with regard to Iqbal Hussain;
	(3)  when he will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 5 April 2004, with regard to Iqbal Hussain.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 25 May 2004.

Correspondence

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East's letter to his Department of 26 September 2003, relating to Mr.Ronald Douglas Hall, ref H1091318/4 and PO 731213; and for what reasons the letter was dealt with in the manner it has been.

Des Browne: holding answer 17 May 2004
	I wrote to the hon. Member on 26 May. The delay in responding was partly due to the need to ensure that all avenues had been explored before providing a comprehensive response.

Crime (North Yorkshire)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the rates were of (a) recorded offences, (b) detected offences and (c) cases brought to justice for burglaries in North Yorkshire in (i) April 1997, (ii) April 2000 and (iii) April 2003.

Hazel Blears: Monthly recorded crime is not published. The available information is for annual and calendar year data and is given in the table.
	
		
			 North Yorkshire All burglary offences recorded Recorded burglaries detected by Police Burglary offences brought to justice 
		
		
			 1997 11,359 2,165 (3) 
			 200001 11,658 976 615 
			 200203 (4) 11,511 1,211 (5)683 
		
	
	(3) Not available.
	(4) Figures for 200203 will have been affected by the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard on 1 April 2002.
	(5) Provisional.

Departmental Computers

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the disposal of computers formerly used by his Department.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 24 May 2004
	The majority of the computers used within the core Home Office are supplied as part of a managed service by Sirius (the Home Office's IT supplier) and as such are not assets owned by the Authority. Although Sirius are contractually obliged to ensure the erasure of any Home Office data held on their assets, the responsibility for the disposal of obsolete or surplus assets belonging to Sirius lies solely with them.
	Those core Home Office assets not covered by the Sirius contract are managed by the Information Management Technology Unit (IMTU) and responsibility for dispersal of assets rests with their Out of Scope Team.
	To reduce budget costs, if possible the assets are re-deployed elsewhere within the core Home Office. If not and as Government Accounting rules require Departments to ensure the best possible price is obtained when disposing of surplus IT equipment, a registered GCat supplier for the provision of ethical and environmentally friendly disposal services are asked to dispose of the assets on their behalf.
	While the Home Office pays for this service, should the assets be sold on the Home Office receives 75 per cent. of the sale price.

Departmental Computers

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of Fujitsu in providing computer services for the Home Office.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 24 May 2004
	Fujitsu is the main contractor supplying infrastructure and desktop services to the core Home Office including the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and the Youth Justice Board as a result of being awarded the IT2000 Contract in 2000. IT 2000 is a 10 year Public Finance Intiative contract establishing a private public partnership between the Home Office (excluding agencies and parts of IND covered by the Siemens caseworking service).
	These services range from support for software including application management (e.g POEMS) and standard toolsets (e.g. Adobe Acrobat) to hardware devices including desktop and remote access laptops.
	They also manage the supply of voice services to the core Home Office (excluding IND) via their sub-contractor Global Crossing.

Departmental Procurement

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture.

Fiona Mactaggart: It is Government policy that all procurement decisions are taken on the grounds of value for money.
	The percentage of crockery, cutlery and glassware, which is of British manufacture, procured by the Department in 200203 is as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Crockery 65 
			 Cutlery 25 
			 Glassware 7.5 
		
	
	Information on the percentage of crockery, cutlery and glassware procured prior to 2002 and its origin of manufacture is not available and could only be obtained by incurring disproportionate costs.

Early Retirement (Police)

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the costs of early retirement of police officers for each force in England and Wales in 200304.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 13 May 2004
	The information is not centrally available in the form requested. The cost of early retirement on ill-health grounds is mitigated to an extent by the fact that the retired officer will normally be replaced, either directly or indirectly, by a recruit on a lower salary who can perform all the ordinary duties of a member of the force. A broad indicator of the cost to forces in any year is the aggregate of the cash lump sums they pay to officers retiring on ill health grounds. Based on the estimated number of ill-health retirements for 200304 published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy the Government Actuary's Department estimate that the total cost of ill-health pension lump sums in England and Wales is about 50 million.

Gas Cartridge Weapons

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the advice he   received on the feasibility of converting self-contained gas cartridge weapons to use conventional ammunition.

Caroline Flint: We do not think it right to do so, thus making more widely available details of the methods of conversion identified so far. The Forensic Science Service identified a number of different ways in which such revolvers and pistols were used with ammunition other than air cartridges. These varied considerably in their effectiveness and ease of conversion and with one exception were not specific to one particular model. Having discussed the problem with the manufacturers of the air cartridge system and an independent engineer it was concluded that the main problem was with the air cartridge system itself which could not be modified to remove the danger.

Ministerial Meetings

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to meet representatives of the (a) National Black Police Association and (b) Police Federation.

Hazel Blears: I meet the National Black Police Association as necessary to discuss particular issues. I have regular bilaterals with the Chairman of the Police Federation.
	During the period March 2002 to March 2003 Lancashire Constabulary strength increased by 35 to 3,339. At the end of December 2003 Lancashire had record strength of 3,549an increase of 210 officers.

Police

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage change there has been in the number of full-time police officers in Bootle since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Bootle is part of the Sefton Basic Command Unit (BCU). Information on strength at BCU level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.
	Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Sefton BCU increased by 0.5 per cent. (from 431 to 433). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Norman Bettison QPM) and within the Sefton BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

Police

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Manchester, Central has been since 1997.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 20 May 2004
	Information on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCU) level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.
	Manchester, Central constituency is part of the North Manchester (A) Division. Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Manchester Division increased by 2 per cent. (from 725 to 740). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Michael Todd) and within the North Manchester Division deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

Police

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he expects police radios to work while on the London Underground.

Hazel Blears: The British Transport Police, who are responsible for policing the London Underground, already have radios that work in that environment. Contractual discussions are underway on the extension of Airwave, the new police radio system, to the London Underground. The estimated completion date is 2007.

Police

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood has been since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Information on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCD) level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCD strength is only available from 2002.
	Blackpool, North and Fleetwood constituency is part of the Western (A) Division. Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Western Division decreased 1.4 by per cent. (from 501 to 494). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Paul Stephenson QPM) and within the Western Division deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

Police

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of suspension of police officers was in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the average cost of suspensions.

Hazel Blears: Suspension of a senior police officer is a matter for his or her police authority and suspension of other ranks is a matter for the Chief Constable. Information on lengths of suspension of police officers is not held centrally. I have made no estimate of the average cost of suspensions as to do so would require making a request for information from individual forces and therefore would involve a disproportionate cost.

Police

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to Customs and Excise regarding the VAT status of Centrex.

Hazel Blears: No representation has been made to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on behalf of Centrex in respect of their VAT by the Home Office arrangements. This is an internal matter, which has been satisfactorily resolved in discussion between Centrex and Customs and Excise.

Police

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in grant was paid to National Police Training and the Central Police Training and Development Authority in each year from 199798 to 200405.

Hazel Blears: Centrex has only been in receipt of grant-in-aid from the Home Office since 200203, when it became an executive non-departmental public body. Before that time, as National Police Training, it was a unit of the Home Office.
	The grant-in-aid paid to Centrex (millions) is as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  Capital Resource 
		
		
			 200203 78.6 14.9 
			 200304 87.3 18.7 
			 200405 74.8 18.7 
		
	
	Small additional payments were made to fund additional work programmes.

Police

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what throughput of police recruits he expects at Stage 2 training during 200405; and what throughputs were achieved in each of the last three years.

Hazel Blears: Total bids for Stage 2 places at Centrex for the year 200405 stands at 7,184, of which 242 are from non-Home Office forces. This figure excludes the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) whose probationers are trained in force and those forces currently running trials of the modernised delivery of Stage 2.
	During the year 200304 Centrex target to have delivered 8,701 Stage 2 places, of which 200 were taken by non-Home Office forces. Again this excludes the MPS and forces which ran Stage 2 trials.
	During the year 200203 a total of 7,977 Stage 2 places were delivered by Centrex, of which 148 were taken up by non-Home Office forces. This figure excludes the MPS.
	During the year 200102 a total of 7,578 Stage 2 places were delivered by Centrex, of which 149 were taken up by non-Home Office forces. Again this figure does not include the MPS.

Pre-charge Photographs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he sets for the police on the publication of pre-charge photographs of alleged criminals taken at the time of arrest where the police has facilitated the presence of journalists at the scene of arrest.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office does not issue guidance on these matters. Arrangements for handling the media at police operations are for the senior officer in command, under protocols agreed by the Chief Officer. The general position is set out in advice to all Chief Officers issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers in October 2003. One key consideration is that the publication of any image taken at the time of arrest may interfere with an individual's right to a fair trial under the Human Rights Act 1998.

Public Bodies

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) members, (b) reports produced by and (c) dates of meetings in 2003 of (i) the National Crime Reduction Task Force, (ii) the Insurance Cover Working Group, (iii) the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, (iv) the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel, (v) the Animal Procedures Committee, (vi) the Criminal Records Bureau Consultative Panel, (vii) the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales and (viii) the Technical Advisory Board.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 18 May 2004
	Advisory Non-Departmental Bodies (NDPBs) provide independent expert advice to ministers on particular topics. Also members of the Board are public appointees and the Board itself is supported by staff from their Sponsoring Department.
	(i) Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has the following list of members for 2003.
	Re-appointed Members:
	Sir Michael Rawlins
	Mr. Norman Bettison
	Reverend Martin Blakeborough
	Mr. Raj Boyjoonauth
	Ms Vivienne Evans
	Dr. Laurence Gruer
	Mr. Russell Hayton
	Mr. Peter Housden
	Mr. Roger Howard
	Mr. Alan Hunter
	Professor David Nutt
	Mrs Kay Roberts
	Mrs Patricia Roberts
	Dr. Roy Robertson
	Newly appointed members:
	Dr. Dima Abdulrahim
	Lord Victor Adebowale
	Dr. Margaret Birtwistle
	Dr. Cecilia Bottomley
	Ms Carmel Clancy
	Professor liana Crome
	Ms Robyn Doran
	Mr. Robert Eschle
	Professor Hugh Edmondson
	Professor C Robin Ganellin FRS
	Mr. Paul Haves
	Mr. Andrew Hayman
	His Honor Judge Thomas Joseph
	Dr. John Marsden
	Mr. Peter Martin
	Mr. Richard Pates
	Mr. Trevor Pearce
	Mr. Arthur Preddy
	Dr. Mary Rowlands
	Dr. Polly Taylor
	Ms. Monique Tomlinson
	In June 2003, the Advisory Council published Hidden HarmResponding to the needs of children of problem drug users.
	The Advisory Council met twice in 2003, on 15 May 2003 and 6 November 2003.
	(ii) The Animal Procedures Committee had the following list of members in 2003:
	Rev Prof Michael Banner, Chairmen
	Prof Robin Dunbar
	Mr John Gregory
	Prof John Martin
	Prof Christopher Atterwill
	Prof Donald Broom
	Dr. Michael Festing
	Dr. Robert Hubrecht
	Dr. Tim Morris
	Dr. David Clark
	Dr. Maggy Jennings
	Dr Gill Langley
	Prof Grahame Bulfield
	Prof Stephen Clark
	Prof Alan Holland
	Prof Alan McNeilly
	Prof Genevra Richardson
	Graham Moore
	Newly appointed member:
	Prof Dawn Oliver (March 2003)
	Retired member:
	Robert McCracken (August 2003)
	In 2003, the Committee produced a report A Review of Cost-Benefit Assessment in the Use of Animals in Research and its 2002 Annual Report.
	The full Committee met five times in 2003, on 12 February 2003, 9 April 2003, 25 June 2003,8 October 2003 and 19 December 2003. In addition there were many meetings of sub-committees and working groups.
	(iii) Correctional Services Accreditation Panel (CSAP) had the following list of members in 2003:
	Sir Duncan Nichol (Chair)
	Prof Donald Grubin
	Prof Michael Gossop
	Ms Sylvia Hikins
	Mr. David Kennard
	Prof Friedrich Lsel
	Prof Mike Maguire
	Dr. Janice Marques
	Dr. Mary McMurran
	Dr. William Murphy
	Dr. Frank Proporino
	Dr. Barbara Rawlings
	Prof Peter Raynor
	Mr. Colin Roberts
	The CSAP produced an Annual Report for 20022003.
	The full Panel met in 2003 from 24 March 2003 to 28 March 2003 and from 13 October 2003 to 17 October 2003. A sub-group called the Drugs Sub-Panel met from 13 May 2003 to 15 May 2003 and from 4 June 2003 to 6 June 2003. There were also one or two smaller meetings during the course of that year.
	(iv) Technical Advisory Board (TAB) consists of six representatives of the communications industry and six representatives of the intercepting agencies. The names of the intercepting agencies are not made public but the names of the Chair and the communications industry representatives for 2003 are as follows:
	Liam Strong (Chair)
	Derek Cobb
	Jim Cottrell
	Jessica Hendrie-Liano
	Tom Phillips
	Mike Short
	Robert Temple
	In 2003 the TAB had no meetings and did not produce any reports.
	(v) The Police Advisory Board for England and Wales has the following as members in 2003. Two representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers of England and   Wales (ACPO) to include the Metropolitan Commissioner, one representative of the Chief Police Officers' Staff Association (CPOSA), two representatives of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales (PSAEW), five representatives of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and members nominated by the Home Secretary. There is an Independent Chair, John Randall and a Deputy Chair, Mark Baker.
	An Annual Report was produced on the work of the Police Advisory Board by the Independent Chair. This was issued on 16 June 2003.
	The Police Advisory Board meets quarterly. In 2003 it met on 30 January 2003, 16April 2003, 28 October 2003 and 23 December 2003.
	Task Forces and Ad hoc Advisory groups are essentially Home Office working groups. They have a short-term focus and when their work comes to an end they are disbanded. These groups give expert advice to the Department on a specific issue.
	(vi) The National Crime Reduction Task Force has not met since 2000.
	(vii) The Insurance Cover Working Group (ICWG) is a Home Office working group. In 2003, the following were members of the ICWG:
	Stephen Bourne (Chair and Co-ordinator)
	David Tyler
	Helen Rice
	Ian Egginton-Metters
	Tom Flood
	Celia Webber
	John Stratton
	Anne-Marie Piper
	Merran Buchanan
	Sophie Chapman
	Tim Humphreys
	Anne Armstrong
	Laura Baird
	Mark Pratt
	Jim Neilson
	Paul Lewis
	Hilary Dalton
	Paula Reynolds
	Tony Jeeves
	Martin Elliott
	Steve Wyler
	David Evans
	Brain Garcia
	John Parker
	John Barton
	Douglas Ellis
	Jim Lugton
	Bob Elam
	Neil Surman
	Anita Varey
	Michael Swann
	Charlotte Edward
	Janet Howe
	The following are listed as Observers:
	Lucy French
	David Bishop
	Rebecca Leete
	Nick Munn
	Vedi Sanjiv
	Elaine Warner
	Miles Burger
	David Sinclair
	Anthony Hammill
	Claire Crawley
	Ilyas Malick
	Alex Sienkiewicz
	In 2003 the ICWG produced the following reports, Research into Insurance Cover for the Voluntary and Community Sector in England in July 2003 and  Report for Ministers in December 2003.
	The ICWG met three times in 2003, that is on 23 January 2003, 10 June 2003 and 8 October 2003.
	(viii) The Criminal Records Bureau Consultative Panel (CRBCP) is an Ad hoc Advisory group. The Panel is made up of Customer Groups, Regulatory Authorities, Government Departments, CRB Stakeholders and CRB Senior Managers. In 2003, the following were members of the CRBCP:
	Vince Gaskell
	Anita Varey
	Mark Favager
	Barbara Hockey
	Rob McGreal
	Bob Wright
	Michelle Wise
	Steve Boocock
	Tim Humphreys
	Stephen Adams
	Neil Wallace
	Neil Bentley
	Jean Pugh
	Gordon Fleck
	James Walsh
	Rob Heiser
	Clare Smith
	Gareth Crossman
	Mervyn Barrett
	Peter Martin
	Sally Nunn
	Andy Forster
	Irish Davies
	Sean Risdale
	Ann Russell
	Euan Eddie
	Chris Atkinson
	Debbie Akinfe
	Sarah Veale
	Nicola Foulds
	Roy Haley
	The CRBCP does not produce reports. It was designed as a method for the Criminal Records Bureau to communicate and consult with its customer base and for the customer base to raise issues with the Bureau.
	The CRBCP meets quarterly. In 2003 the CRBCP met on 12 March 2003, 27 June 2003, 26 September 2003 and December meeting was held over until 14 January 2004.

Public Bodies

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) budget and (b) administration costs in 2003 were of (i) the National Crime Reduction Task Force, (ii) the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, (iii) the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel, (iv) the Animal Procedures Committee, (v) the Criminal Records Bureau Consultative Panel and (vi) the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 18 May 2004
	Advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) do not have a separate resource budget. Their secretariat and administration costs are borne directly by the Department.
	(i) The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has no resource budget. The Home Office provides secretariat and administrative support. The ACMD had an expenditure/costs for the Financial Year 200304 of 137,793.27.
	(ii) The Animal Procedures Committee (APC) consists of 20 members including a Chairman. All Board members are public appointees. The Chairman received 10,000 in remuneration and 28,000 for members' expenses. 280,000 went on research. The total budget of 318,000. APC had an estimated administration cost for the Financial Year 200304 of 5,185.
	(iii) The Correctional Services Accreditation Panel (CSAP) had a budget for the Financial Year 200304 of 195,000 and an estimated administration cost of 60,112.
	(iv) The budget allocation for the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW) is combined with that of the Police Negotiating Board (PNB). The PABEW and the PNB combined budget figure for the Financial Year 200304 was 54,633 and their combined figure for administration costs was 50,582.14.
	Task Forces and ad hoc advisory groups are essentially Home Office working groups. They do not have a separate budget or administration costs.
	(v) The Criminal Records Bureau Consultative Panel had an estimated budget and administration cost of 5,000.
	(vi) The National Crime Reduction Task Force is no longer operating and no meetings or activity occurred in the Financial Year 200304.

Royal Society (Decontamination Report)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his response is to the recommendations made in the recent Royal Society report on the detection and decontamination of chemical and biological agents.

David Blunkett: The Government have welcomed the Royal Society's report and has written to the President of the Royal Society setting out its response.
	I have today placed in the Library a copy of the Government's response to the Royal Society report, and undertake to send the hon. Member a copy.

Security Industry Authority

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) budget and (b) staffing levels of the Security Industry Authority are.

Hazel Blears: The level of grant funding for the Security Industry Authority (SIA) for 200405, as published in the Treasury Main Supply Estimate (HC 466), is 25,700,000. This expenditure will be largely offset by licence fees. The maximum staffing level of the SIA is projected to be 122.

Security Industry Authority

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work the Security Industry Authority has carried out since 1 April 2003.

Hazel Blears: During this period the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has undertaken a considerable programme of work preparing itself and the security industry for the introduction of regulation. This has included work on licensing, compliance and investigation, communications, strategic development, and corporate services. Full details of the work undertaken by the SIA will be published in their Corporate and Business plan in due course.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecutors

Edward Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General what the average total cost was of employing each grade of Crown Prosecutor, including pension and holiday provision, and other benefits associated with such employment, in each financial year since 1 May 1997 for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: The average total cost of employing each grade of crown prosecutor in real terms, including pension and holiday provision, and other benefits associated with such employment, in each year since 1997, was as follows:
	
		
		
			  Chief Crown Prosecutor Band E Band D Band C 
		
		
			 199798 94 67 58 45 
			 199899 95 68 58 46 
			 19992000 71 70 60 48 
			 200001 91 73 61 49 
			 200102 96 77 63 52 
			 200203 105 77 64 52 
			 200304 120 77 67 51

Crown Prosecutors

Edward Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General what arrangements are made for each grade of Crown Prosecutor to qualify for high court advocacy rights; and how much time has been spent on average by each qualified Crown Prosecutor on higher courts advocacy during each financial year since 1 May 1997 for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: an opportunity each year to apply for a place on a Higher Court Advocacy programme which is run by the Crown Prosecution Service in partnership with the Nottingham Law School.
	The time spent on higher court advocacy by qualified crown prosecutors from 1999 to 2003 is shown in Table A. 19992000 was the first full year for which figures were collated.
	
		Table A
		
			 Number of sessions average hours per session 19992000 20002001 20012002 20022003 
		
		
			 Number of sessions 2.718 4,075 7,186 6,839 
			 Ave hours per session 5.29 4.84 4.89 5.15

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bedouins (Negev)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assistance his Department provides to the Bedouins in the Negev;
	(2)  what discussions he has held with the Israeli Government about the situation of the Bedouins in the Negev.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Negev desert is part of Israel. DFID does not work in Israel because it is not a developing country. DFID's mandate for poverty reduction requires us to focus our efforts on development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries. DFID has had no discussions with the Israeli Government about the situation of Bedouins in the Negev.

Belize/Guatemala

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the projects his Department has supported in Belize over the past 20 years that have been classed as successful.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I shall arrange for a copy of a document entitled Department for International Development/Official Development Assistance in Belize to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	The list shows all DFID/ODA projects funded in Belize since 1986 (the year to which project records for Belize date back). Performance scoring of projects began in 1992; all listed projects since then have been classed as partially or wholly successful.

Belize/Guatemala

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role the UK Government have played in resolving the border disputes between Belize and Guatemala.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK continues to support fully the Organisation of American States (OAS)-facilitated process between Belize and Guatemala as the best means to secure a permanent solution to their territorial dispute. I underlined this to both governments when I visited Belize and Guatemala from 14 to 17 January, and I have recently written to Vice-President Stein of Guatemala and Prime Minister Musa of Belize. We have also lobbied both countries to agree a long-term extension to the Confidence Building Measures Agreement, which is due to expire in June, at the next OAS meeting between Belize and Guatemala in Washington in June.
	We are also supporting the OAS-sponsored Confidence Building Measures in Belize and Guatemala through the FCO/DFID/MOD Global Conflict Prevention Pool. 1.5 million has been allocated this financial year. Our projects are aimed at reducing tensions, encouraging co-operation between security agencies and addressing the underlying causes of conflict.

Computer File Formats

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is in respect of the computer file formats used for the (a) distribution and (b) archiving of publicly available documents.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Material is produced and distributed using a range of industry standard formats: Hypertext Mark-Up Language (html), Portable Document Format (pdf) and Microsoft Word (doc) as recommended in the Guidelines for UK Government Websitesas appropriate to the publication. According to the e-Government agenda, DFID is developing an Electronic Documents and Records Management System which will include a policy on the archiving of electronic files.

Darfur

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he has taken to secure access to Darfur for humanitarian relief; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 25 May 2004
	I am gravely concerned about the situation in Darfur and the difficulties of ensuring humanitarian access to a displaced population of over 1 million.
	I will be tabling a written ministerial statement on Thursday 27 May 2004.

Gambia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) monetary aid, (b) aid in kind and (c) logistical aid his Department has (i) pledged and (ii) delivered to the Child Protection Alliance in The Gambia in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has not directly funded or been involved in the activities of the Child Protection Alliance in The Gambia. However through DFID's Small Grants Scheme, which is administered by the British High Commission in Banjul, we have provided 3,465 over the past three years to the Child Protection Alliance. This helped to support a capacity building project, an information campaign on child protection issues, and an assessment of member organisations.

Gaza Strip

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he   has made of the (a) nutritional needs of and (b) the supply of clean water to residents in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: A food security assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Food Programme during 2003 found that approximately 41 per cent. of the population of the Gaza Strip are food insecure, with a further 28 per cent. at risk of becoming so. Another nutritional assessment done in 2002 by Johns Hopkins and Al-Quds Universities looked at children six to 59 months, and found that in the Gaza Strip, 13.3 per cent. had acute malnutrition (wasting), and 17.5 per cent. had chronic malnutrition (stunting). The United Nations Relief and Works Agency provides emergency food aid to an estimated 128,000 families.
	Palestinians have very low water consumption. Per capita Palestinian water consumption in Gaza is 88 litres/day, compared with a World Health Organisation recommended basic minimum for developing countries of 100 litres/day. The United States Aid to International Development (USAID) is leading a major programme of activities to increase the quantities of water available for water supply in Gaza. This includes protection and management of the coastal aquifer, which is the only local source of freshwater in Gaza. USAID has also agreed to fund the construction of a desalination plant that will purify up to 20 million cubic metres of sea water each year, equivalent to nearly 40 per cent. of Gaza's current municipal consumption. A main water pipeline the length of Gaza will also be constructed to distribute high-quality water throughout the Gaza Strip.

Gaza Strip

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds are being made available to send aid to Gaza Strip following recent Israeli action.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: A UN-led needs assessment in Rafah is currently being finalised. DFID will look closely at this when judging if and how we should respond.

Iraq

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes he has made to international aid budgets since the decision to take military action in Iraq.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I refer the my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman) on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 493W and the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 3 December 2003, Official Report, column 50W.
	Funding for the reconstruction of Iraq did not affect planned DFID expenditure for other countries during 200304. During 200405 and 200506, funding for the reconstruction of Iraq includes 50 million reallocated from planned programmes, together with DFID contingency funding of 115 million and contributions from other Departments. In addition, in response to the increased amounts needed for Iraq, which is classified as a middle income country, DFID has adjusted forward plans to move a further estimated 50 million from other middle income country programmes to low income country programmes. This is needed to maintain our commitment to our Public Service Agreement target of raising the share of our bilateral programme going to low income countries to 90 per cent. by 200506.
	Details of the middle income countries affected by these changes can be found in the written statement provided to Parliament by the Secretary of State for International Development on 6 November 2003, Official Report, column 42WS. The revised allocations for 200405 and 200506 are set out in the DFID Departmental Report 2004. DFID will also continue to provide substantial assistance to middle-income countries through multilateral institutions.
	These reallocations should be seen in the context of a development assistance budget that will increase by 900 million over the current Spending Review Period 200306.

Israel

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by Israel's demolition policy.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: A UN-led needs assessment in Rafah is currently being finalised. DFID will look closely at this in judging if and how we should respond.
	During the past 18 months DFID has provided a technical management team to oversee the reconstruction and repair of demolished and damaged housing in Jenin Refugee Camp. In addition DFID made a 5 million contribution in March to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's Emergency Appeal, which provides a range of emergency humanitarian support to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This includes emergency shelter, food and health services in Rafah.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much she estimates prices of (a) gas and (b) electricity for (i) domestic consumers and (ii) industry have changed as a result of Government policy on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide; and what her forecasts are for future price changes.

Stephen Timms: The Government have put in place a range of measures for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide.
	For domestic customers, electricity prices have increased as a result of the introduction of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO), the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the Energy Efficiency Commitments. The European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will also have an upward impact on domestic electricity prices. Gas prices have been affected by the Energy Efficiency Commitments.
	For business consumers, gas and electricity prices have been affected by the introduction of the Climate Change Levy (CCL) in 2001. Electricity prices have been affected by the NFFO and the Renewables Obligation. The introduction of the ETS in 2005 will also have an effect on electricity prices and the costs of using gas for business consumers.
	Projecting future price increases is highly uncertain. Such impacts will depend on the operation of markets as well as policy measures. The estimates in the following tables are made on particular assumptions and can be indicative only.
	Estimated impacts to date and forecasts for the period to 2010 are shown in the following tables:
	
		Domestic gas prices -- Percentage
		
			  Impact to date Impact 200410 
		
		
			 Energy Efficiency Commitments 1 1 
			 Total 1 1 
		
	
	
		Industrial gas prices -- Percentage
		
			  Impact to date Impact 200410 
		
		
			 CCLwith Climate Change   Agreement (CCA) 4 0 
			 CCLwithout CCA 19 0 
			 Emissions Trading 0 8 
			 Total (with CCA) 4 8 
			 Total (without CCA) 19 8 
		
	
	
		Domestic electricity prices -- Percentage
		
			  Impact to date Impact 200410 
		
		
			 NFFO/Renewables Obligation 2 3 
			 Energy Efficiency Commitments 1 2 
			 Emissions Trading 0 3 
			 Total 3 8 
		
	
	
		Industrial electricity prices -- Percentage
		
			  Impact to date Impact 200410 
		
		
			 NFFO/Renewables Obligation 3 7 
			 CCLwith Climate Change   Agreement (CCA) 3 0 
			 CCLwithout CCA 15 0 
			 Emissions Trading 0 6 
			 Total (with CCA) 6 13 
			 Total (without CCA) 18 13 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Impact of Emissions Trading Scheme is on gas costs as users of gas will need to hold emission allowances. Not all business users of gas are covered by the EU ETS and those that are will receive an initial free allocation of allowances that will largely cover their projected emissions.
	2. Estimates for renewables include the impact of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, which has already impacted on electricity prices.
	3. Average impact from Energy Efficiency Commitments. For those benefiting from energy efficiency measures, bills should fall. It is estimated that the average annual on-going financial gain for consumers benefiting from measures in the 200508 period, in lower energy bills or increased comfort, would be around 15 a year for the lifetime of the measures. The annual benefit from cavity wall insulation in a standard three bedroom house is likely to be 80 to 100.
	4. Impact of Climate Change Levy estimated for those with a Climate Change Agreement who receive an 80 per cent. reduction in the rate of levy and for those without a CCA who pay the full levy. Impact of emissions trading based on a price of 5 per tonne of carbon dioxide.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claimants medically examined so far have also been diagnosed to be suffering with (a) pneumoconiosis, (b) asbestosis, (c) mesothelioma and (d) asthma, broken down by (i) age and (ii) coalfield area.

Nigel Griffiths: Nearly 184,000 medical assessments have been carried out with a resulting fit for purpose Medical Assessment Process (MAP) report. Of this number, over 64,000 MAP reports show a condition other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that is impacting on the claimant's respiratory function.
	Under the respiratory disease Claims Handling Agreement, ERISC are not required to record these separate co morbid conditions.

Clean Coal

Kevin Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department spent on Clean Coal projects in each year since 2000 broken down by project; and what the estimated spending for 2004 is.

Stephen Timms: Spend on clean coal (RD) programmes since 2000 is indicated as follows:
	
		
			  000 (Accruals) 
		
		
			 200001 1,889 
			 200102 1,702 
			 200203 1,979 
			 200304 1,090 
			 200405 estimated 1,168 
		
	
	The following table shows the breakdown by project.
	
		Projects (RD)
		
			 Cleaner coal RD programme (cash flow) 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 Total 
		
		
			 Pulverised fuel meterssplit control   65,155   65,155 
			 Advanced materials, modelling and lifting technologies for gas turbine components 188,410  211,854 145,210 163,540 709,014 
			 Development of a combustor strategy to cover a wide range of calorific values   219,365  94,140 313,505 
			 Novel gas cleaning/heat recovery system  28,560 24,762  47,900 101,222 
			 Materials for gasifier heat exchangers  9,390 25,275  15,290 49,955 
			 Concurrent measurements of temperature and soot concentration of coal fired combustion flames 31,910  38,091   70,001 
			 Coal mineral transformationseffects on boiler ash  99,300 33,100  66,200 198,600 
			 Advanced monitoring using imaging for combustion in power station boilers   68,546  45,910 114,456 
			 Advanced coal modelling  37,600  10,506  48,106 
			 Improved materials for advanced PF boilers and steam turbines  210,940 536,103 129,957 310,970 1,187,970 
			 Optimisation of furnace design for in-furnace NOx reduction  50,590 76,195   126,785 
			 Combustion of low volatile coals in wall fired plant  97,62097,620 
			 Optimisation of furnace mixing to enhance combustion efficiency in advanced low NOx systems  97,50097,500 
			 Improvement in combustion efficiency in utility boilers   239,428  201,770 441,198 
			 Advanced optimisation of coal fired power plant operations 3,100 7,347   20,550 30,997 
			 Techno-economic evaluation of cleaner coal fired plant operability  17,280  15,030 17,690 50,000 
			 Modelling of particulate and vapour deposition in gas turbines fired on coal derived gases   19,926 13,653 56,710 90,289 
			 Fabricated turbine rotors for advanced steam turbines  27,690 102,364 34,630  164,684 
			 Metallic filters for hot gas cleaning   7,690  21,310 29,000 
			 Advanced characterisation property database for Chinese and Indian (and other Asian) coals   34,722  64,670 99,392 
			 Advanced near burner flame diagnostics for ignition and stability studies on full scale pulverised coal flames   26,584  22,000 48,584 
			 UK collaboration with Netherlands and Australian NOx reduction research using overfire air staging   14,123  15,300 29,423 
			 Improving the efficiency and environmental performance of small scale combustion plant for increased export opportunities  5,840 23,247  20,910 49,997 
			 Application of CFD modelling to mill classifier design   139,300 31,100  170,400 
			 Predictive methods and remedial measures for particle impact erosion and abrasion wear in cleaner coal energy conversion techs   30,000 70,000 17,500 117,500 
			 Once through the boiler with vertical tube furnace  81,710 54,471 45,395  181,576 
			 Advanced modelling and testing of thick section welded HCM2S  25,810  39,650 39,830 105,290 
			 FOURCRACK development of advanced coal fired plant steels to avoid premature failure by weld Type IV cracking   13,000  122,500 135,500 
			 Carbon burnoutcoal fitness effects   56,400 14,950 27,530 98,880 
			 Development of nitrogen stable isotope ratio measurements to apportion fuel and thermal NOx in coal conversion   58,750 51,250  110,000 
			 Enhanced Efficiency Steam Turbine Blading for Cleaner Coal Plant19,848 246,460 266,308 
			 Advanced (700C) PF Power Plant 81,360 81,360 
			 Virtual Plant Demonstration   22,990   22,990 
			 Real time Efficiency Measurements for Utility Boilers81,632 28,370 1 10,002 
			 Demonstration of Co-firing Biomass at an Existing Coal Fired Power Station140,000  140,000 
			 Demonstration of Co-firing Biomass at an Existing Coal Fired Power Station 755,460 755,460 
			 Assessment of Ash Refiring and Mineral Addition on Plant Performance and Ash Disposal 154,000 154,000 
			 On-line Fuel Tracking by Advanced Flame Monitoring   13,500 10,500 75,000 99,000 
			 Combustion of Low Volatile Coals in Wall Fired PlantPhase 281,188 78,240 159,428 
			 Minimising Particulate Emissions through the Application of Neural Network Technology and Monitoring Systems 118,000 118,000 
			 Improved Methods for Coal and Waste Utilisation   15,181   15,181 
			
			 Former Cleaner Coal Programme   
			 Development of Coal-over-Coal Reburn 62,680 0 0 0 0 62,680 
			 The Fate of Trace Elements in PF Combustion Systems 9,063 0 0 0 0 9,063 
			 Improvement of Combustion Efficiency in Low-NOx Combustion Systems 0 101 0 0 0 101 
			 Advanced Gas Turbine Compressor ProjectPhase 3 121,409 0 0 0 0 121,409 
			 Model-based Plant Optimisation Utilising Trends from Operational Instrumentation 14,833 0 0 0 0 14,833 
			 Fabrication of Steels for Advanced Power Plant 23,073 24,942 0 9,450 0 57,465 
			 Gasifier Developments and the Air Blown Gasification Cycle 3,068 0 0 0 0 3,068 
			 Total projects (RD) 457,546 822,220 2,170,122 943,948 2,929,110 7,322,946 
			
			 CC RD Programme Accruals (000) 1655 1677 1979 1081 1168 7560 
			 Former CC Programme Accruals (000) 234 25 0 9 0 269 
			 Total Accruals RD Projects 1889 1702 1979 1090 1168 7829

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights' budget will be spent on   financial grants to supporting organisations; and what framework is in place to choose these organisations.

Patricia Hewitt: Funding for the proposed Commission for Equality and Human Rights is still under discussion and is subject to the Government process for financial planning for the next three years.
	However, our White Paper, Fairness for All has given a commitment to maintain levels of grant funding for local equality work for the foreseeable future.
	The Commission will be subject to the same government accounting framework as other non-departmental public bodies, including those processes for making grants.

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures will be taken to ensure effective liaison between existing advisers to small businesses and the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Patricia Hewitt: The Commission for Equality and Human Rights will provide the opportunity to achieve the more joined-up approach to equality and human rights that business, and especially small business, has called for strongly.
	The White Paper, Fairness for All, makes clear that it will be essential for the CEHR to respond to the specific needs of small businesses and liaise effectively with small business advisers. In developing these effective measures, the CEHR will consult and work closely with small business on all key areas of its work to recognise and address their specific needs.
	Evidence shows that small businesses' information needs are often different from those of large organisations, which centre on basic information on compliance and legal obligations. Many small businesses prefer to seek this advice from their existing advisers.
	The CEHR's services will need to support these advisers and intermediaries and enable the provision of joined-up information that small business wants.
	The CEHR will respond to the preferred ways of working of small business. It will be expected to work with and through other existing bodies such as regional development agencies, the Small Business Service, business representative organisations and sector-based professional bodies.
	The Government will continue to express their strong commitment to ensuring liaison between existing small business advisers and the CEHR throughout the White Paper consultation period and beyond.
	We are especially grateful to Lorraine Gradwell of the Small Business Council for her work as a member of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights Task Force and her support for promoting the interests of small business.

Convenience Market

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings she has had with independent and small retailers or their representatives to discuss the implications of consolidation in the convenience market.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is aware of the concerns of independent and small format retailers about consolidation in the convenience sector. However, the independent competition authorities are responsible under the Enterprise Act 2002 for decision-making in merger cases against an explicit competition test, and parties with concerns about the effects of mergers in this sector are encouraged to contact the Office of Fair Trading to put forward their views. Ministers have no role in this process, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not, therefore, met with those in the convenience sector to discuss any concerns.

Domestic Heating

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the annual cost of heating an average domestic property in Great Britain by (a) electricity, (b) solid fuel and (c) natural gas.

Stephen Timms: Figures on the cost of providing space and water heating in typical dwellings for Great Britain appear in Salkent's Comparative Heating Costs publication. The October 2003 edition of this shows costs as indicated in the table.
	
		Typical annual costs of space and water heating for a three bedroom semi-detached house
		
			 Fuel type Annual cost () 
		
		
			 Electricity (Economy 7) 625 
			 Solid fuel (Anthracite grains) 566 
			 Gas (conventional boiler) 463

Liquefied Natural Gas

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reserve storage facilities for liquefied natural gas the Government have for use during emergency interruptions of gas supplies.

Stephen Timms: National Grid Transco own and operate five LNG storage facilities. These are used, at the commercial judgment of NGT, to meet winter peaks in gas demand. The gas industry has emergency arrangements in place for managing a supply shortfall.

National Minimum Wage

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many workers have benefited from the national minimum wage in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to provide estimates specifically for the constituency of Blackpool, North and Fleetwood. However, based on the Office for National Statistics' Low Pay data released in 2003, the DTI estimates that around 140,000 people in the North West stood to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in April 1999. Between 130,000 and 160,000 people were expected to have benefited from the October 2003 uprating of the national minimum wage.

Oil and Gas Production

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the quarterly totals of (a) oil and (b) gas produced in the British sector of the North Sea were in the last 10 years.

Stephen Timms: Information on production of oil and gas from the UK and UK Continental Shelf over the last 10 years is set out as in the table. The Department publishes information on production on its website. Total quarterly production of oil from 1995 is at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy   stats/oil/3   10oilproduction-ettab13.xls and quarterly production of gas from 1996 at www.dti.gov.uk/energy   stats/gas/4   2gasproductionettab11.xls
	
		UK production of oil and gas
		
			   (a) (b) 
			  Quarter Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (Million tonnes) Gross gas (GWh) 
		
		
			 1994 1 30,187 255,201 
			 1994 2 30,825 155,320 
			 1994 3 31,380 118,951 
			 1994 4 34,150 221,665 
			 1995 1 33,446 274,685 
			 1995 2 29,596 168,762 
			 1995 3 32,401 125,591 
			 1995 4 34,451 253,804 
			 1996 1 32,557 318,349 
			 1996 2 31,260 201,669 
			 1996 3 31,310 159,895 
			 1996 4 34,523 298,539 
			 1997 1 33,045 314,124 
			 1997 2 29,320 212,947 
			 1997 3 31,557 176,785 
			 1997 4 34,045 294,488 
			 1998 1 33,185 308,503 
			 1998 2 31,735 226,684 
			 1998 3 32,599 188,236 
			 1998 4 34,974 324,963 
			 1999 1 34,389 342,857 
			 1999 2 33,061 245,617 
			 1999 3 34,328 215,756 
			 1999 4 35,321 347,919 
			 2000 1 34,221 376,669 
			 2000 2 30,803 295,244 
			 2000 3 30,426 242,910 
			 2000 4 30,587 345,345 
			 2001 1 29,196 362,755 
			 2001 2 28,339 289,959 
			 2001 3 28,328 248,206 
			 2001 4 30,814 329,613 
			 2002 1 29,653 333,547 
			 2002 2 29,531 295,520 
			 2002 3 26,484 235,677 
			 2002 4 30,276 339,969 
			 2003 1 28,748 350,858 
			 2003 2 25,849 282,958 
			 2003 3 25,012 244,189 
			 2003 4 26,478 317,988

Paid Leave

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many residents of Blackpool, North and Fleetwood qualify for paid leave entitlement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: All workers resident in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood qualify for paid annual leave entitlements; at least four weeks as set out in the Working Time Regulations. While all women are entitled to 26 weeks ordinary maternity leave, only those who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to claim statutory maternity pay for that period.
	All employees in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood who are eligible will be entitled to take statutory paternity leave with pay and statutory adoption leave with pay.

Post Office (Election Materials)

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the ability of the Post Office to provide a satisfactory service for the delivery of election materials for the elections on 10 June.

Stephen Timms: Royal Mail is fully aware of the importance of ensuring that it provides a reliable service during the pilot postal elections in June. This could affect just over 14 million people and DTI Ministers have received assurances from Allan Leighton that Royal Mail will be giving the handling of the ballot papers the highest priority.
	The Department of Constitutional Affairs, which is overseeing the elections, has had several meeting with Royal Mail to discuss the development of national and detailed local plans for the all-postal pilot elections. It has ensured that there are robust plans in place for the delivery and return of electoral mail in June.
	The Department of Constitutional Affairs project team will monitor Royal Mail's performance in the run up and during the election period and are in regular contact with Royal Mail to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Public Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by the (a) Commission for Racial Equality, (b) Equal Opportunities Commission and (c) Disability Rights Commission.

Patricia Hewitt: The full-time equivalent staff complement for the commissions is:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Commission for Racial Equality 187 
			 Equal Opportunities Commission 139 
			 Disability Rights Commission 192

Public Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the current annual budget is of the (a) Commission for Racial Equality, (b) Equal Opportunities Commission and (c) Disability Rights Commission.

Patricia Hewitt: The budgets for the commissions for 200405 are:
	Commission for Racial Equality20,085,000
	Equal Opportunities Commission8,255,000
	Disability Rights Commission15,497,000.

Regional Development Agencies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of the regional development agencies have established a science council; and what the annual budget for 200405 is of each.

Jacqui Smith: Regional Science Councilsor equivalent bodieshave been established in the North West, the North East, the South East and London. All of the RDAs have agreed to have a council in place by the end of 2004. Although subject to local variations, the Science Councils are generally tasked with exerting influence through the strategic direction of SET funding within their region, rather than holding specific budgets.

Research and Development

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the research and development spending per capita in each UK region in each of the last six years.

Jacqui Smith: Spending on research and development is tracked regionally through a series of ONS surveys of private business, central Government and higher education establishments. Figures on research and development spending per capita in each UK region in each of the last six years is on the following table.
	
		s spent on research and development per head of resident population(6)
		
			 Region 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 North East 118 110 112 110 115 105 
			 North West 218 218 224 266 267 281 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 112 109 113 126 129 134 
			 East Midlands 225 225 239 259 287 297 
			 West Midlands 184 188 201 208 183 177 
			 Eastern 496 540 534 573 622 659 
			 London 245 231 233 255 277 268 
			 South East 425 440 463 509 516 548 
			 South West 229 237 282 274 272 295 
			 England 267 273 285 309 319 331 
			 Wales 85 89 100 134 120 117 
			 Scotland 160 160 184 204 213 246 
			 Northern Ireland 97 87 89 105 133 141 
		
	
	(6) Population as at mid-year 2002.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics.

Research and Development

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money (a) the Government, (b) the private sector and (c) higher education establishments has spent on research and development in each region of the UK in each of the last six years.

Jacqui Smith: Spending on research and development is tracked regionally through a series of ONS surveys of private business, central government and higher education establishments. Figures available for the last six years are provided in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
	
		Table 1: Estimated Government Office Region breakdown of expenditure on Intramural RD performed within Government establishments 1997 to 2002 --  million
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 United Kingdom 2,018 2,079 2,072 2,134 1,829 1,750 
			 North East 17 3 2 2 4 6 
			 North West and Merseyside 88 58 56 57 66 67 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 55 31 46 48 50 63 
			 East Midlands 69 51 56 56 68 65 
			 West Midlands 185 182 191 196 65 50 
			 Eastern 250 256 247 259 277 286 
			 London 205 203 230 258 238 234 
			 South East 685 700 645 635 515 459 
			 South West 257 330 300 307 254 225 
			 England 1,811 1,814 1,771 1,816 1,537 1,455 
			 Wales 33 51 55 65 49 42 
			 Scotland 163 201 232 238 226 238 
			 Northern Ireland 12 12 14 15 16 15 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Estimated Government Office Region breakdown of expenditure on Intramural RD in the business sector1997 to 2002 --  million
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 United Kingdom 9,556 10,133 11,302 11,510 12,336 13,110 
			 North East 162 178 164 164 119 128 
			 North West and Merseyside 1,157 1,216 1,476 1,451 1,512 1,661 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 255 287 309 304 298 357 
			 East Midlands 708 775 838 933 951 1,063 
			 West Midlands 647 708 724 576 662 695 
			 Eastern 2,381 2,367 2,559 2,758 2,916 2,741 
			 London 667 643 735 810 738 950 
			 South East 2,335 2,497 2,916 2,964 3,317 3,268 
			 South West 758 898 887 867 1,025 1,274 
			 England 9,071 9,569 10,607 10,827 11,538 12,138 
			 Wales 113 125 203 144 136 182 
			 Scotland 291 358 393 400 512 640 
			 Northern Ireland 81 81 99 139 150 149 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Estimated Government Office Region breakdown of expenditure on Intramural RD performed within higher education institutes 1996 to 2001 --  million
		
			  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 United Kingdom 2,792 2,893 3,040 3,324 3,648 4,034 
			 North East 95 101 105 112 123 142 
			 North West and Merseyside 227 228 238 259 289 322 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 216 229 241 269 285 317 
			 East Midlands 146 151 159 181 205 224 
			 West Midlands 154 156 167 179 193 207 
			 Eastern 203 214 211 253 325 366 
			 London 700 730 775 833 899 979 
			 South East 416 434 460 491 518 562 
			 South West 124 129 138 147 160 178 
			 England 2,282 2,374 2,494 2,723 2,996 3,296 
			 Wales 105 111 113 129 139 155 
			 Scotland 348 357 375 408 442 510 
			 Northern Ireland 57 52 57 64 70 73 
		
	
	Note:
	2002 statistics are not yet available.

Research and Development Grants

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on steps she has taken to encourage small businesses to take up research and development grants in the United Kingdom.

Nigel Griffiths: Following the review of its business support the Department introduced Grant for Research and Development in England in June 2003 to build upon the success of the popular Smart scheme. For each category of grant the maximum amount available was increased in the transition to the new product. In the year April 2003 to March 2004 over 900 individuals and small and medium sized businesses were offered grants to help with the costs of researching and developing new, technologically innovative products and processes. The popularity of the grants has increased in each of the last three.
	We have also made it easier for businesses to access all DTI business support. We have replaced the confusing array of schemes with a small suite of products, produced clear marketing brochures including one on succeeding through innovation, put in place the Business Support Directory to help customers identify the most appropriate forms of support and are building the Business Link brand to enhance its position as an easy to use gateway to useful information, analysis, advice and support.
	The Scottish Executive, Welsh Development Agency and Invest Northern Ireland are responsible for their own Smart and Spur schemes.

Aluminium

Richard Page: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the energy consumption is per unit of aluminium produced from (a) raw materials and (b) scrap.

Jacqui Smith: According to the Aluminium Federation, primary production in the UK uses about 14,500 kWh/tonne to electrolyse the alumina into molten primary aluminium. Recycling requires approximately 780 kWh/tonne, including all of the energy required to pre-process the low grade scraps prior to melting.

Aluminium

Richard Page: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the price of scrap aluminium per tonne is; and what the average price was in 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Metal Bulletin quotes low and high prices, representing an evaluation of the market at the time that particular issue of Metal Bulletin goes to press. Monthly averages are not published. UK market prices are published for many different categories of aluminium scarp and ingot foundries. Data for three examples are shown below. Prices in 1997 generally exceeded the May 2004 level, except at the very start of the year.
	
		 per tonne (low and high prices)
		
			 Product 8 January 1997 30 December 1997 19 May 2004 
		
		
			 Aluminium Scrap and Foundry Ingots: United Kingdom market  
			 Commercial cast 595605 670690 635670 
			 Group 1 Litho (baled) 785805 875895 800830 
			 Mixed alloy/Old Rolled cuttings 575595 675695 595615

Aluminium

Richard Page: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are taken to ensure that scrap aluminium exported from the UK is sent to Integrated Pollution Preventative and Control Directive Approved processing plants.

Stephen Timms: As a member of the European Community, the United Kingdom is not able to take unilateral action on trade matters. Decisions which impact on or affect the European Community's commercial policy are taken collectively by the European Commission and member states working closely together. There are no plans at present for the Commission to introduce proposals which would restrict the export of aluminium scrap to processing plants that meet certain standards of environmental performance. Any such measures would have to be compatible with WTO rules.

Spending Review 2002 Targets

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress her Department has made towards meeting the Spending Review 2002 targets (a) to increase the number of people considering going into business and (b) to improve the overall productivity of small firms.

Nigel Griffiths: Barclays Bank's latest survey of business creation includes non-VAT registered firms and shows that there were 115,000 business start-ups in England and Wales in the last quarter of 2003. The latest yearly figures show 465,000 business start-ups in England and Wales in 2003. This represents a 19 per cent. increase on the year before.
	Data from the Office for National Statistics' Annual Business Inquiry shows that during the period 1999 to 2001, the productivity (gross value added per employee) of small firms (those with fewer than 250 employees) has risen at a faster rate every year than the productivity of all firms in the UK. In 1999, SMEs were 93 per cent. as productive as large firms, and by 2001, they were 96 per cent. as productive. The latest figures show that SMEs' productivity increased by 5.9 per cent. (basic prices) between 2000 and 2001, while all firms' productivity increased by 4.5 per cent. (basic prices).
	Progress against the targets set in 2002 was published on 28 April 2004 in the 2004 DTI Departmental Report.

Unfair Commercial Practice Directive

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress was made at the Competitiveness Council held on 17 to 18 May on the Unfair Commercial Practice Directive and the Irish Presidency's proposal to delete the Internal Market Clause.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Competitiveness Council on 17 to 18 May reached political agreement to a common position on the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive based on a compromise package from the Irish Presidency, the main element of which was the deletion of Article 4(1) and the country of origin principle. The Commission stressed that this was only acceptable in the light of the full harmonisation which the Directive would provide, and tabled a minutes statement to this effect. The United Kingdom, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Estonia also tabled a joint minutes statement expressing their regret at the deletion of Article 4(1) and noting that traders who comply with the laws in the member state where they are established should ordinarily be presumed not to be in breach of the laws in other member states.
	The Government welcome the Directive which will be a major enhancement of the UK's consumer protection regime by plugging gaps in the existing legal framework that unscrupulous traders exploit, and by setting standards against which new practices will automatically be judged. It will make an important contribution to achieving my Department's Public Service Agreement Target
	to have a consumer protection regime that is among the best in the world by 2006.

Victor Bout

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations her Department has carried out into the activities of Victor Bout.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	Customs is responsible for investigating any suspected breaches of UN sanctions in the UK, or by UK persons overseas, involving exports or certain brokering activities.
	It is not Customs policy to comment on the existence or nature of any such investigations, but Customs notes that recent media reports concerning Mr. Bout do not refer to any matters that would fall to be investigated by them.

Wind Farms

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of the (a) energy and (b) carbon costs of wind farms including (i) the concrete content of foundations, (ii) losses in transmission and (iii) infrastructure such as access roads.

Stephen Timms: While there are some carbon emissions associated with the construction of wind farms and their associated infrastructure these are very small compared to the carbon emissions saved by the wind farm over its lifetime of operation. Wind Energy Fact Sheet 14, which can be found on the DTI website (www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/publications/pdfs/windfs14.pdf) provides further information on the life cycle emissions from wind farms relative to fossil fuel electricity generating technologies.
	In relation to transmission losses, these will affect all forms of electricity generation in a similar manner related to the distance transferred, type of power cable transferred through etc. Overall losses in the England and Wales transmission system are approximately 1.5 per cent. but no estimate has been made of what proportion of this energy loss is attributable to wind energy.

Wind Farms

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how the Government's energy policy takes account of the problems of grid security and stability caused by large-scale remote wind generation;
	(2)  how the Government's energy policy of large-scale wind farm development, particularly in remote parts of the UK, will affect the risks of large-scale electricity blackouts in the UK.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 6 February 2004, Official Report, column 1098W.
	Large-scale blackouts are very rare events in the UK. For example, in England and Wales, the amount of energy not supplied by NGT due to transmission failures over the last 12 years is an extremely small proportion to total system throughput, averaging less than 0.0001 per cent. This compares very favourably with other transmission network operators.
	The Government are working closely with the electricity industry to ensure that all necessary reinforcements required by the integration of renewable generation will be completed expeditiously. In addition, the industry is working to ensure that wind and other renewable generation connection to the system in future will have the characteristics necessary to maintain the integrity of the electricity networks. The Government in conjunction with the electricity industry, are also exploring possible means of further mitigating the effects of intermittency and unpredictability, for example by the application of additional electricity storage. DTI and Ofgem will continue to monitor electricity security issues through the Joint Electricity Security of Supply working group.

Wind Farms

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many miles of new power lines will be needed in (a) Yorkshire and (b) other parts of England to accommodate the grid development identified by Ofgem as necessary to implement the Government's energy policy for wind farms.

Stephen Timms: The plan for remodelling the transmission grid to accommodate new renewable energy generation is currently being prepared by National Grid Transco, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Electricity.
	(a) There are no planned upgrades of the transmission system required in Yorkshire.
	(b) For the rest of England there will be a need to upgrade transmission lines but the final plans have not been presented.
	Ofgem have now issued their second consultation on how to fund the costs of upgrades and the first of the transmission developments required to facilitate the delivery of our renewables targets, a new transmission line from Beauly to Denny in Scotland, is currently the subject of a pre-statutory consultation by Scottish and Southern. They hope to submit an application for section 37 consent this autumn.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the extent to which impartial advice and guidance about learning and work is available to adults over 19 in England.

Ivan Lewis: Impartial advice about learning and work is available free of charge to all adults in England aged 20 and over through the learndirect telephone helpline and website, and through the local Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Partnerships managed by the Learning and Skills Council. Advice involves helping individuals to access and interpret information taking into account their personal needs and circumstances. Guidance, which involves helping clients to explore their options in greater depth, is not universally available free of charge. However, universities and colleges have careers services offering impartial information, advice and guidance to their students, and there are many private career consultancy firms providing guidance commercially for those people who are able and willing to pay for it.

Adult Education

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he plans to ensure that in all 47 learning and skills council local areas adults over 19 seeking a career change or a skills update will be able to access impartial advice and guidance informed by the changing labour markets.

Ivan Lewis: In December 2003, the Department for Education and Skills published The National Policy Framework and Action Plan for Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) for Adults. This set out a core range of information and advice services to be made available free of charge to all adults aged 20 and over. They include access for individuals to information and advice informed by labour market trends at national, regional and local levels. Individuals will access these services through an integrated IAG service linking the learndirect telephone helpline and website with the local Information, Advice and Guidance Partnerships. The integrated IAG service will be launched in August 2004.

BACS

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress his Department has made to manage the changeover from the Bank Automated Clearing System to the new BACSTEL-IP system for electronic payments.

Stephen Twigg: The Department for Education and Skills recognise that we must upgrade to BACSTEL-IP well before the December 2005 deadline. We are in the process of upgrading our central finance system, with an expected go live date of 5 July 2004. The BACSTEL-IP upgrade was excluded from the scope of that project as we did not want to introduce unnecessary additional risk. It will, however, be taken forward with Barron McCann (our current BACS software provider) as a priority upgrade towards the end of this calendar year.

Education Building Development Conference

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will place in the Library the presentation made by Mr. Robert Osborne at the Conference for the Education Building Development Officer Group in 2003.

David Miliband: holding answer 13 May 2004
	Copies of the presentation made by Mr. Robert Osborne at the Conference for the Education Building Development Officer Group in 2003 have been placed in the House Libraries.

Further Education

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time places there were for 16 to 19-year-olds in London further education colleges in each of the past five years.

Alan Johnson: Information on the number of available places in Greater London further education colleges is not held centrally. Information on learners is held centrally however, though only for 16 and 17-year-olds.
	The numbers of 16 and 17-year-old learners in further education colleges, living in London, from end 1997 to end 2001 (the latest available year) are given in Table 1. The numbers shown in the table are snapshot information as at the end of the calendar years.
	
		Table 1
		
			 Greater London End 1997 End 1998 End 1999 End 2000 End 2001 
		
		
			 Full-time education  
			 Sixth form colleges 12,400 12,500 13,200 13,300 13,600 
			 Other further education colleges(7) 41,200 40,600 40,100 40,700 41,800 
			 Part-time education 
			 Sixth form colleges 200 200 200 200 300 
			 Other further education colleges 8,000 7,600 7,900 7,800 7,500 
		
	
	(7)   These figures include those participating in government supported work-based learning (WBL).

Further Education

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in (a) Taunton and (b) Somerset he expects to stay on in education as a result of the introduction of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Ivan Lewis: We estimate there will be about 2,800 extra 16-year-olds in the South West Region in further education this September who would not be participating without EMA. We are unable to provide forecasts of the number of EMA students down to constituency level.

Further Education

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of people in Ryedale that he expects to remain in full-time education as a result of the introduction of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Ivan Lewis: We estimate there will be about 2,800 extra 16-year-olds in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region in further education this September who would not be participating without EMA. We are unable to provide forecasts of the number of EMA students down to constituency level.

Further Education

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will bring levels of funding for 16 to 19-year-old students at further education colleges in North Yorkshire up to the level of funding for such students at schools in the county.

Alan Johnson: The Government have set out their investment plans for 200304 to 200506 to support their Success for All strategy to reform further education and training. These plans enable the Learning and Skills Council to increase funding for further education significantly. For the academic year 2003/04, core funding rates per qualification increased by 3 per cent. for school sixth forms and 4.5 per cent. for further education colleges (setting aside the impact on rates of changes to targeted funds for pay and staff training and teachers' pension funding). Our expenditure plans to 200506 should see that trend continue.

Further Education

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will provide extra funding to further education colleges in North Yorkshire to support increases in student numbers resulting from theintroduction of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Alan Johnson: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC decides on allocations at individual college and regional level. Information about these allocations is not collected by the Department. This is a matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Further Education

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to provide funding to further education colleges in North Yorkshire to help them to refurbish and rebuild college buildings.

Alan Johnson: All of the Department's post-16 learning and skills sector capital investment is allocated to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The Department does not provide a specific budget to the LSC for rebuilding and refurbishing property in further education colleges at either the local or regional levels. It is for the LSC to determine for itself the right level of capital investment in further education colleges. Mr. Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

School Access Fund

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the School Access Fund was spent on improving (a) physical access to school buildings and (b) access to the curriculum in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 24 May 2004
	This information is not collected centrally. It is for local education authorities to decide which of the capital projects proposed by their schools should be supported in the light of local needs and circumstances detailed in their Accessibility Strategy.
	Local authorities' accessibility strategies and schools plans should cover all three strands of the planning duties they have under part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995: to improve the physical environment of the school; increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school curriculum and improve the delivery of information to disabled pupils. Local authorities have a duty to make their strategies available for inspection to interested parties at reasonable times and maintained schools also have a duty to publish their accessibility plans in their governor's report to parents.
	When Ofsted inspects schools, they report on how well they include all pupils within the school and how well they carry out their statutory duties, including accessibility planning under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

School Access Fund

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance has been issued to (a) local education authorities and (b) schools on the use of the School Access Fund.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 24 May 2004
	Guidance has been issued to local education authorities to indicate the scope of the capital projects they should support to improve the accessibility of the mainstream schools for disabled pupils. Information on the Schools Access Initiative, including the guidance, is also available on our website www.teachetnet.gov.uk/accessibleschools.
	It is for local education authorities to determine how they will allocate the funding made available to them in the light of local needs and circumstances detailed in their Accessibility Strategy and make that information available to the schools they are responsible for.
	As part of the implementation of the SEN Strategy: Removing Barriers to Achievement, the Department is developing a self-review and development tool to help local authorities review their accessibility strategies in partnership with pupils, parents and schools and identify ways of further improving the quality of their planning and significantly increasing access to education for disabled pupils.

Secondary Schools

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the most appropriate size of a secondary school to deliver an acceptable level of subject choice to pupils; and what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on this.

David Miliband: We do not prescribe an appropriate size of secondary school to deliver an acceptable level of subject choice to pupils, and we have not issued any guidance to local education authorities on this. What is important is that secondary schools provide a high quality, broad and balanced curriculum as set out in sections 78 to 96 of the Education Act 2002. Schools can collaborate with other schools and colleges to broaden the range of options available to their pupils.

Student Fees

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answers of 1 April 2004, Official Report, columns 154950W, to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, if he will list (a) for each higher education institution and (b) in total (i) the number of students who were UK nationals, (ii) the number of non-EU students and (iii) the number of EU students from countries other than the United Kingdom; if he will list for each total the (A) aggregate fee-income and (B) average fee-income per student; and what the (1) aggregate fee-income foregone and (2) average fee-income per student foregone was (y) at cost to the institution and (z) at cost to the public purse through treating EU students from outside the UK in the same way as students from the UK.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 4 May 2004
	It is not possible to calculate what the change in income to higher education institutions would be if EU students ceased to be treated in the same way as UK students for fees and funding purposes. This is because the change in income will depend on the courses that these students are following and institutions' decisions about the fee levels for those courses. Fees for non-EU overseas students are not regulated and institutions determine the amount they charge depending, for example, on the costs of the course offered. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) provides funding for EU students but not for non-EU overseas students. The amount paid by HEFCE will also depend on the type of course the student is taking. Information for each HE institution showing student numbers and fee income received is published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in Students in Higher Education Institutions and Resources of Higher Education Institutions respectively, copies of which are available from the House Library.

Teachers

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have retired over the last four years.

David Miliband: The information requested has been published in table 40 of the School Workforce in England volume, 2003 edition. A copy of this has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The volume can also be accessed from the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000443/index.shtml

Test and Examination Costs

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the initial total cost was, including production, printing, marking and moderation of (a) KS1 SATS, (b) KS2 SATS, (c) KS3 SATS, (d) GCSE, (e) AS, (f) A Level and (g) A2 for all schools for 200203.

David Miliband: holding answer 24 May 2004
	The breakdown of expenditure for the Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 National Curriculum tests (commonly referred to as SATS) for all schools for 200203 are shown in the table.
	
		 million
		
			 Area of work KS1 KS2 KS3 
		
		
			 Test development, pre-testing and level setting 0.6 1.35 1.5 
			 Paper and printing 0.5 0.75 1 
			 Test distribution 0.5 0.6 0.6 
			 Marking  9.4 9 
			 Data collection  0.9 0.9 
			 Total 1.6 13 13 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Key Stage 1 tests are marked and moderated locally and so the figures are unavailable for that expenditure.
	2. Moderation at Key Stage 2 and 3 is involved in the marking costsit is not possible to disaggregate the figure.
	3. The figure for marking at Key Stage 2 is higher than Key Stage 3 as there are approximately 5 per cent. more pupils.
	4. The figures relate to the test cycle and not a financial year.
	As part of the work to modernise the examinations systems, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 November 2003, Official Report, column 25WS, we are seeking to improve our understanding of costs of the examinations system. Work to estimate the total costs incurred by the awarding bodies, rather than simply the fees they charge, shows that they spend a total of some 280 million a year on general examinations (principally GCSEs and GCEs) taken by students in schools and colleges in England.

DEFENCE

Air-Sea Rescue Service

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the UK Air-Sea Rescue Service.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom Search and Rescue services will continue to be provided by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Sea King helicopters (alongside the Maritime Coastguard Agency) until the Support Amphibious Battlefield Rotorcraft Search and Rescue enters service.

Defence Analytical Services Agency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role and performance of the Defence Analytical Services Agency.

Adam Ingram: The role of the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) is to provide economic and statistical information, analysis and advice to the Ministry of Defence and to provide Parliament, other Government Departments and the public with defence-related statistics and analytical information.
	DASA's main products and services are:
	defence National Statistics (available at www.dasa.mod.uk);
	statistics, analysis and interpretation on a wide range of defence activity for use within MOD (personnel, financial, logistics, commercial, health, and equipment);
	forecasting to support the Department's financial and personnel planning appraisal and evaluation policy, scrutiny and advice to support the Department's investment decisions;
	and consultancy services, advice and research including modelling, economic and statistical analyses, surveys and problem solving.
	More detail about DASA can be found on its website.
	In 200304 DASA met seven out of its eight key targets. In addition, DASA met the work-life balance standard (a key target carried over from 200203) and won the National Council for Work Experience award in the public sector category for the quality of the placements it offers to students. Further information on DASA's performance will be contained in DASA's Annual Report and Accounts which are due to be laid before Parliament before the summer recess.

Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory plans to increase its revenue from sources other than Government departments.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) currently has no plans for increasing the revenue it receives from sources outside the public sector, except in the area of IPR exploitation, where it generates revenue through the setting up of joint ventures and the licensing of IPR from defence technology. In this role, Dstl, as a Public Sector Research Establishment, complies with the recommendations of the Baker Report in that it takes opportunities to protect, license and otherwise exploit the IPR generated from public funds for the wider benefit of the United Kingdom.

Departmental Executive Agencies

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library copies of the (a) operating cost statement, (b) statement of recognised gains and losses, (c) balance sheet, (d) cash flow statement and (e) fixed assets register for financial year 199798 for the (i) Defence Dental Agency, (ii) Defence Estate Organisation, (iii)   Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, (iv) Defence Vetting Agency and (v) RAF Logistic Support Services;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library copies of the (a) operating cost statement, (b) statement of recognised gains and losses, (c) balance sheet, (d) cash flow statement and (e) fixed assets register for (i) RAF Logistic Support Services for financial year 19992000 and (ii) the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for the period April to October 2000.

Adam Ingram: No accounts were published in financial year 199798 by the Defence Estate Organisation, the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, the Defence Vetting Agency and RAF Logistic Support Services. No accounts were published in financial year 19992000 by RAF Logistic Support Services as the organisation ceased to be an agency on 31 March 2000. For that year, no accounts direction was given by HM Treasury and accordingly the agency did not produce a set of annual report and accounts. In respect of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency no accounts were produced for the period April to October 2000 or for the year 200001 as the organisation ceased to be an agency on 1 October 2000. An operating cost statement, statement of recognised gains and losses, balance sheet and cash flow statement are thus not available.
	For the Defence Dental Agency, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) on 19 November 2003, Official Report, column 961W.
	Fixed Asset Registers could be published only at disproportionate cost in view of the substantial volume of MOD assets.

Departmental Executive Agencies

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) resource provision and (b) outturn for his Department's executive agencies was for financial years (i) 19992000, (ii) 200001, (iii) 200102 and (iv) 200203.

Adam Ingram: For financial years 19992000 to 200102, I refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) (reference: D/Min(AF)Al 4656/04C of 30 March 2004) copies of which are available in the Library of the House. This provides the resource outturn (net operating cost after interest in the Operating Cost Statement) for all agencies which are also Management Groupings or Top Level Budgets. Agency net operating costs may otherwise be found in the Operating Cost Statement of their Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Technical differences in the way in which agency and consolidated departmental accounts must be prepared may result in a variance between the net operating costs figure shown in agency accounts and that shown in the equivalent consolidated departmental breakdown.
	I will write to the hon. Member to provide the corresponding information for financial year 200203 and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	I am unable to provide resource provision below Top Level Budget. The setting of budgets below this level is for internal management control purposes only as lower-level budgets may be redistributed over the financial year to take account of in-year cost pressures or programme changes.

Interrogation Techniques

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps were taken following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Ireland v. United Kingdom (1978) to outlaw the use of the five techniques of interrogation found to be in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention.

Adam Ingram: In 1978 the Government's presentation to the European Court of Human Rights set out that the then Prime Minister had declared on 2 March 1972, Official Report, columns 74344, that the techniques . . . will not be used in future as an aid to interrogation and that directives expressly prohibiting the use of the techniques for interrogation, whether singly or in combination, had been issued in April 1972. The Government also gave the Court an unqualified undertaking that the techniques of hooding, wall standing, sleep deprivation, food deprivation, and white noise would not in an any circumstances be reintroduced as an aid to interrogation.
	Given that the necessary directives had been issued in April 1972, no further steps were deemed necessary following the Court's judgment.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role was played by the (a) SAS and (b) SBS in restoring stability to Fallujah.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding details under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 17 May 2004, Official Report, column 663W, on Iraq, if he will give the cause of death entered on the death certificates of the 16 individuals whose deaths involved alleged ill treatment by members of UK armed forces.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 25 May 2004
	Of the 16 cases involving alleged ill treatment of Iraqi civilians by United Kingdom armed forces, 10 resulted in the death of a civilian. As the cases are still under investigation, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discovery of a shell filled with sarin nerve agent in Iraq by United States forces.

Adam Ingram: On 15 May 2004, an improvised explosive device, discovered by United States forces, was found to be an artillery shell probably containing the nerve agent sarin. Two members of US forces suffered symptoms consistent with nerve agent poisoning and initial tests revealed the presence of sarin. Additional testing will now be performed outside Iraq.
	It is not clear whether the maker of the device knew that it contained nerve agent or whether the shell was being used for its explosive properties.

Marchwood Military Port

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on Marchwood Military Port of the decision to reject the proposed new container terminal at Dibden Bay.

Adam Ingram: The Sea Mounting Centre, Marchwood Military Port (MMP) is unaffected by the decision to reject the proposed new container terminal at Dibden Bay. It will continue to undertake its essential role in the operational deployment of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) as well as the regular and more routine movements of ammunition.
	The Ministry of Defence will continue to consult with Associated British Ports (ABP) and evaluate any future proposals for the development of the Dibden Bay site.

Merlin Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy Merlin helicopters have been involved in accidents which were (a) insufficient and (b) sufficient to put them out of service.

Adam Ingram: Merlin helicopters have been involved in two accidents, both of which were sufficient to put the aircraft out of service. Merlin flights have been halted pending further investigations.

Merlin Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the lessons learned from the accident investigations and other inquiries into (a) operational failures, (b) accidents and (c) equipment malfunctions of the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter.

Adam Ingram: Following the Merlin accident at RNAS Culdrose on 30 March 2004, a Service Board of Inquiry and a technical investigation by the Royal Navy Flight Safety and Air Accident Investigation Centre have been commissioned. Neither has yet reported. The Military Air Accident Summary for the Merlin crash near the Kyle of Lochalsh on 29 October 2000 was placed in the Library of the House in June 2002.

Non-human Primates

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 13 May 2004, Official Report, column 539W, on experiments on non-human primates, if he will list the primate type and number of primates used in each experiment; when each experiment was conducted; and what was done with the primates on the completion of each experiment.

Adam Ingram: In 2001, Dstl Porton Down used eight Rhesus Macques to help assess the effects and significance of human exposure to nerve agents. Additionally, other studies that did not involve testing the effects of weapons have been conducted with non-human primates. The following table lists all of the studies undertaken at Dstl Porton Down which have involved the use of non-human primates. These studies form an integral part of the overall research programme to provide the UK and its armed forces with safe and effective protection in the event of chemical or biological weapons being used and are conducted under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
	
		
			 Study 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Effects and significance of exposure to nerve agents 8 Rhesus   
			 Gulf War vaccine interactions programme 54 Marmosets 4 Marmosets  
			 Development of medical countermeasures  12 Rhesus 6 Marmosets 7 Marmosets 
			 Provision of blood/tissue samples for in-vitro studies. 2 Rhesus 4 Marmosets 10 Rhesus 10 Marmosets 11 Rhesus 5 Marmosets 
		
	
	The majority of the animals were killed humanely at the completion of the studies using Schedule 1 procedures in accordance with the Home Office guidelines. The remainder of animals from which only small blood samples had been taken were returned to their respective breeding colonies. The numbers of procedures involving non-human primates are included in the Dstl annual return to the Home Office.

Osama Bin Laden

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden.

Denis MacShane: I have been asked to reply.
	We have received a number of reports concerning Osama bin Laden. It is the practice of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters. The Security and Intelligence Agencies are outside the scope of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Paragraph 6, Part I). However we and our partners in the campaign against international terrorism will continue to use all means at our disposal to bring Osama bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders to justice.

Qinetiq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the balance of benefits and detriments arising from the sale of QinetiQ.

Adam Ingram: In February 2003, the Ministry of Defence sold a minority equity interest in QinetiQ to the Carlyle Group as a first step towards preparing the company for a future flotation on the stock market. QinetiQ's Annual Report and Accounts, due to be published in the next few months, will set out the performance of the company in its first full year under these arrangements. The Ministry of Defence as both owner and principal customer of QinetiQ has benefited from the investment of private sector resource in the company which this public private partnership has enabled.

Sarin Nerve Agent

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom retains quantities of sarinnerve agent for use in prophylactic research purposes.

Adam Ingram: The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the use of any toxic chemical except for permitted purposes. The United Kingdom, as a state party to this Convention, is permitted to hold an aggregate of up to one tonne of Schedule 1 chemicals (those that pose the highest risk to the Convention) at any one time, for research, medical, pharmaceutical or protective purposes.
	As part of this holding, the UK does possess an amount of the chemical sarin, which is used for protective purposes, namely those purposes directly related to protection against toxic chemicals and to protection against chemical weapons, and for research purposes.

Typhoon Programme

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent to date by the United Kingdom on the Typhoon programme, including the Experimental Aircraft Programme; and what expenditure is planned in each of the next 10 years, in cash terms.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence spend on Typhoon up to 31 March 2004 is some 9 billion. This excludes expenditure on the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP), which was a precursor to the Eurofighter programme. These costs are not readily available and I will therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	Funding is allocated for in-year expenditure only. Provision for future years' expenditure is made in the annually revised Equipment Plan. In the case of Typhoon, the allocation for equipment acquisition for 200405 is 783 million.

UN Operations

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received on the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the United States coalition forces began their attack on Falluja this month.

Adam Ingram: I am aware of a number of organisations who have published their estimates of the numbers of Iraqi civilians killed since coalition operations began.
	There is no reliable means of accurately ascertaining numbers of civilian fatalities. It is not always possible to confirm whether fatalities have occurred, as Iraqi injured or dead are sometimes removed from the scene of incidents by their compatriots. The Coalition always takes great care to minimise the risks to civilians. However, I cannot comment in detail as Fallujah is in the United States' area of operations.

UN Operations

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he plans to the number of British Forces in Iraq following the handover of power on 30 June 2004.

Geoff Hoon: We always keep the size and composition of forces in Iraq under close review. Along with our coalition partners we continue to consider the levels and dispositions of forces that may be appropriate for the period following 30 June. If any decision is taken significantly to alter the British military contribution I will inform the House in the normal way at the earliest opportunity.

UN Operations

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) men and (b) women Iraqi prisoners were being held by UK military forces in Iraq on 10 May.

Adam Ingram: Data on the number of detainees held by UK forces in Iraq is reported to the Permanent Joint Headquarters three times a week. The Ministry of Defence does not have a figure for the number of detainees held on 10 May 2004. We do have a figure for 11 May 2004 when UK forces held 118 internees. All were male.

HEALTH

Alzheimer's Disease

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State forHealth 
	(1)  what plans he has to increase his Department's budget allocation to genetic research into the causes of Alzheimer's in the current financial year;
	(2)  what percentage of his Department's budget has been allocated to genetic research into the causes of Alzheimer's in each year since 2000.

Stephen Ladyman: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the United Kingdom and receives its grant in aid from the Office of Science and Technology. Available figures since 2000 for MRC spend on research into the genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease are shown in the table.
	
		 million
		
			  Research into the genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease Total expenditure 
		
		
			 200203 1.8 430 
			 200102 1.6 418 
			 200001 0.8 370 
		
	
	Source:
	Medical Research Council
	The MRC does not allocate funds to particular topics. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available and awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.

Ashford Hospital

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the deadline is for concluding contractual negotiations with Capio for the creation of an independent sector treatment centre at Ashford hospital, Middlesex.

John Hutton: An initial contract was agreed with Capio UK on 13 May for the group of independent sector treatment centres called the spine chain. However, because of a number of technical issues it was agreed with national health service sponsors and the strategic health authority that, to avoid delay for the majority of the chain, West Surrey would not be included in that contract. It has been agreed that a further period of up to 120 days will be allowed to enable the contract discussions to reach conclusion. We are hopeful of agreement within that period, and that if reached quickly, it shall not have an impact on the opening date of the treatment centre at Ashford, which is still expected to open by April 2005.

Bowel Cancer Screening

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will reduce the waiting time from four to two weeks for bowel cancer screening for symptomatic patients, as recommended in the pilot report of the first bowel cancer screening programme.

Melanie Johnson: The final report of the evaluation of first phase of the United Kingdom colorectal cancer screening pilot, published in May 2003, stated that, ideally, waiting times for symptomatic patients should be reduced to two to four weeks before commencement of screening. This, along with other recommendations of the report, is being taken into account as we develop a national screening programme for bowel cancer and improve symptomatic services as part of the national health service bowel cancer programme.

Breastfeeding

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health   what plans he has to develop a breastfeeding strategy.

Melanie Johnson: The Government do not currently have any plans to develop a breastfeeding strategy. We have a commitment in the NHS Plan to increase support for breastfeeding and we have set a target in the Priorities and Planning Framework (200306) to increase breastfeeding initiation rates by two percentage points, focusing particularly on women from disadvantaged groups. The Commission for Health Improvement has set an indicator, which will look at progress towards meeting the target.

Bronzefield Prison

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected cost is to the North Surrey Primary Care Trust of providing health services to Bronzefield Prison, Ashford, Middlesex during 200405; and what additional funds are being made available.

Rosie Winterton: When Her Majesty's Prison Bronzefield opens in June 2004, primary health care will be provided by the contractors, UKDS.
	Within the framework set out in the NHS Plan and the Shifting the Balance of Power initiative, decisions about funding for local health services are made by primary care trusts in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders.

Clinical Trials

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the parameters used for clinical trials.

Melanie Johnson: The Government's policy is to foster scientific innovation and strengthen the evidence base for modern health care in partnership with universities, charities and industry. High quality clinical trials are an important means of testing pharmaceutical and other innovations. Through the new clinical research collaboration announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health in March, the Government aim to increase opportunities for people to take part in clinical research. There is now a legal framework across the European Union to ensure that clinical trials with medicines are conducted to internationally agreed principles and standards of safety.
	The randomised controlled trial is one of a range of research techniques that generate benefits for patients and users of health and social care. As a research funder the Department takes independent expert advice on the design and methods that are most appropriate for a particular question. Accordingly, research supported by the Department has covered the full range of qualitative and quantitative, randomised and non-randomised research methodologies.
	The national health service research and development methodology programme promotes the identification, development and use of appropriate research methods so that health and social care can be built on the best possible evidence base. Publications from this programme have included reports on the following areas of particular relevance to the question:
	Evaluating non-randomised intervention studies (2003).
	Can randomised trials rely on existing electronic data? A feasibility study to explore the value of routine data in health technology assessment (2003).
	Using routine data to complement and enhance the results of randomised controlled trials (2000).
	These documents are available from the health technology assessment programme website at www.hta.nhsweb.nhs.uk. Details of the methodology programme are available at www.publichealth. bham.ac.uk/nccrm/index.htm.

Dentistry

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of dentists in England.

Rosie Winterton: There were 23,229 national health service dentists in September 2003, an increase of 3,249 dentists since September 1996. This includes dentists working in the general dental service, personal dental service, community dental service, and the hospital and community dental service.

Dentistry

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce free dental care for persons in receipt of incapacity benefit.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 May 2004
	We have no plans to do so. It is departmental policy to offer help with health costs based on a person's income, for example, to those receiving income support. As incapacity benefit is not income-based, it will not entitle a person to free dental care automatically, but recipients may be entitled to help by making a claim under the national health service low income scheme.

Dentistry

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists ceased providing treatment for patients on the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by month; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of dentists leaving the general dental service (GDS) or personal dental service (PDS) is shown in the tables for England and Wales in each year since 1997, broken down by month. Leavers count dentists in their first month of absence. The number of entrants is also provided.
	The number of dentists in the national health service is increasing; in all years since 1997, there have been more dentists entering the NHS than leaving.
	Dentists can leave the NHS for a variety of reasons. These include retirements, short-term absence, leaving for other employment as well as dentists leaving the NHS dental services to practise wholly privately.
	
		Number of dentists leaving and joining the GDS or PDS in England and Wales broken by month
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 
			  Leavers Entrants Leavers Entrants Leavers Entrants Leavers Entrants 
		
		
			 January 87 142 93 144 119 141 102 131 
			 February 87 104 91 135 103 139 98 156 
			 March 72 68 98 100 95 99 103 118 
			 April 151 83 109 77 114 95 134 90 
			 May 98 71 90 77 98 95 107 93 
			 June 98 88 89 83 78 78 121 72 
			 July 77 110 81 124 87 111 120 136 
			 August 151 568 188 651 193 694 191 656 
			 September 146 157 188 191 203 177 231 189 
			 October 105 100 97 175 125 153 146 198 
			 November 86 98 91 106 122 128 120 108 
			 December 78 63 78 69 88 74 106 69 
			 Total 1,236 1,652 1,293 1,932 1,425 1,984 1,579 2,016 
		
	
	
		
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 
			  Leavers Entrants Leavers Entrants Leavers Entrants Leavers Entrants 
		
		
			 January 132 160 134 140 141 129 117 125 
			 February 116 153 128 100 109 101 89 102 
			 March 95 112 104 107 106 119 110 96 
			 April 131 134 126 127 117 79   
			 May 92 81 93 87 114 89   
			 June 90 87 138 82 112 150   
			 July 102 142 114 156 225 631   
			 August 260 722 292 618 209 200   
			 September 216 175 215 187 125 106   
			 October 140 135 133 129 127 107   
			 November 119 126 114 107 94 82   
			 December 104 63 83 61 151 156   
			 Total 1,597 2,090 1,674 1,901 1,630 1,949 316 323 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures will include a large number of dentists who have had very short breaks in contracts as leavers and entrants, perhaps many times over the period.
	2. These figures do not cover other NHS dental services, for example, community dental services and hospital dental services, for which information is not collected centrally.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to recruit dentists from abroad; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We are exploring several options for recruitment of dentists from abroad, including building on our established links with European Union countries and we also expect applications from dentists in the new EU accession states. We are developing a comprehensive dental workforce action plan and will be in a position to provide further information in due course.

Drug Rehabilitation

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce waiting times for drug rehabilitation treatment in Chorley; what the budget is for the drug action team in Chorley; how many people have been seen by the drug action team in each of the last three years; and what his latest estimate is of waitingtimes for drug rehabilitation treatment in Lancashire.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not available centrally as Chorley is only one of the constituent parts of the Lancashire drug action team (DAT). There were 2,874 people receiving drug treatment in Lancashire in 200001. This is the latest available data. Information on waiting times at DAT level is not currently available, but the National Treatment Agency's programme to reduce waiting times has successfully achieved falls in waiting times across the country. The latest average waiting time reported for residential rehabilitation is four weeks.

Drug Rehabilitation

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Bootle are receiving drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: Bootle is part of Sefton drug action team (DAT). There were 396 people receiving drug treatment in Bootle in 200001. This is the latest available data. Data broken down by DAT for 200102 and 200203 has not yet been finalised and published.

Eye Tests (Blackpool, South)

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residents of Blackpool, South aged over 60 years have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests.

Melanie Johnson: Data for the number of sight tests by constituency or by the number of senior citizens is not collected centrally.
	The total number of sight tests paid for by Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority in the year 200203 for those aged 60 and over was 189,100.
	The total number of eligible for a free eye test for those aged 60 and over was 429,300. Sight tests cannot be equated to the number of patients.
	Source:
	Department of Health Statistics.

Health Services

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for eye operations in Liverpool was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		In-patients waiting time, waiting list and booked cases combined median waiting time in days for selected primary operations by selected trust in national health service hospitals in England 199798 and 200203Eye Operations (C01-C86 OPCS 4R)
		
			  Finished in-year admissions Mean Median 
		
		
			 Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust  
			 199798 2,080 38 25 
			 200203 2,824 102 68 
			 
			 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital NHS Trust  
			 199798 5,156 106 61 
			 200203 4,555 137 81 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Time waited statistics from hospital episode statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	2. The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details e.g. time waited, but the figures for all operations count of episodes give a more complete count of episodes with an operation.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Health Services

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been in NHS waiting list times for the residents of (a) Manchester, Blackley and (b) the City of Manchester in the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not collected on a constituency basis but at national health service trust level. Data for the relevant NHS trusts is shown in the table.
	
		Patients waiting for elective in-patient admission
		
			   Patients waiting for admission by months waiting  
			   Month-end  Total number of patients waiting for admission Less than 3 months  35 months  68 months  911 months  1214 months  1517 months  18+ months 
		
		
			 March 1997 Central Manchester Healthcare   NHS Trust 12,313 5,778 2,622 1,920 1,223 616 133 21 
			 March 1997 Manchester Children's   Hospitals NHS Trust 2,801 952 728 528 510 79 4  
			 March 1998 Central Manchester Healthcare   NHS Trust 12,531 5,813 2,454 1,676 1,217 885 486  
			 March 1998 Manchester Children's   Hospitals NHS Trust 3,260 985 908 617 666 74 10  
			 March 1999 Central Manchester Healthcare   NHS Trust 11,266 5,654 2,191 1,614 975 622 210  
			 March 1999 Manchester Children's   Hospitals NHS Trust 2,742 849 753 542 472 118 8  
			 March 2000 Central Manchester Healthcare   NHS Trust 11,040 5,026 2,489 1,703 1,039 533 250  
			 March 2000 Manchester Children's   Hospitals NHS Trust 2,639 801 687 523 370 218 40  
			 March 2001 Central Manchester Healthcare   NHS Trust 10,742 5,056 2,432 1,451 826 606 371 - 
			 March 2001 Manchester Children's   Hospitals NHS Trust 2,634 831 603 552 373 231 44  
			 March 2002 Central Manchester and   Manchester Children's   University Hospitals NHS   Trust 13,213 6,028 3,333 2,136 1,216 500   
			 March 2003 Central Manchester and   Manchester Children's   University Hospitals NHS   Trust 10,822 5,605 2,832 1,701 684 61 0 0 
			 February 2004 Central Manchester and   Manchester Children's   University Hospitals NHS   Trust 9,176 6,487 2,316 373 
		
	
	Source:
	DH form KH07 and Monthly Monitoring

Health Services

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many NHS patients waited for more than six months for operations within Nottinghamshire health authorities areas in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many NHS patients waited more than nine months for operations within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Health authorities (HAs) of treatmentNorth Nottinghamshire HA and Nottingham HA. Method of admissionelective (waiting list and booked cases). Counts of finished in-year admission episodes with and operation by time waited grouping national health service hospitals, England 199899 to 2002031
		
			  North Nottinghamshire HA Nottingham HA 
			  0 to 6 months 6 to 9 months more than 9 months 0 to 6 months 6 to 9 months more than 9 months 
		
		
			 199798 21,356 2,486 2,089 54,469 3,713 6,145 
			 199899 22,470 2,320 2,507 56,961 3,573 5,701 
			 19992000 21,666 1,871 1,784 54,750 2,630 4,614 
			 200001 18,949 1,899 2,008 43,361 2,648 5,202 
			 200102 11,094 1,159 2,120 42,490 3,116 4,308 
			 200203(8) 10,469 1,298 2,993 42,060 4,524 5,022 
		
	
	(8)   200203 figures based on 200102 HAs.
	Notes:
	1. A finished in-year admission is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider, excluding admissions beginning before 1 April at the start of the data-year. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. All operations count of episodesthese figures represent a count of all finished consultant episodesa procedure was mentioned in any of the 12 (four prior to 200203) operation fields in a HES record. A record is included only once in each count, even if an operation is mentioned in more than one operation field of the record.
	3. Time waited statistics from hospital episode statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	4. Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200102 and 200203, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.
	Source:
	HES, Department of Health.

Missed Appointments

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients failed to attend (a) hospital appointments and (b) general practitioner appointments in Chorley in each year since 2000; and what the estimated cost of missed appointments was in each case in each year.

Melanie Johnson: Data on the number of missed general practitioner appointments and the estimated cost of missed appointments are not collected by the Department.
	The number of consultant out-patient missed appointments for national health service organisations serving the Chorley constituency are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Total attendances: 
			  NHS trust seen did not attend 
		
		
			 200001 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 102,526 13,656 
			 200001 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 222,707 25,698 
			 200102 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS   Trust(9) 318,370 38,709 
		
	
	(9)   The Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust was merged with the Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on 1 August 2002 to form the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
	Source:
	Department of Health dataset KH09.

National Programme for IT

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what timescale his Department has set for the implementation of the national programme for IT in general practice.

John Hutton: The concept of national health service national care records service and the national programme is to provide integrated clinical information systems across the whole care continuum. Support for delivery of care by general practitioners and other primary care practitioners is an integral part of the programme.
	There are some specific systems relevant to GP practices and the general medical services payments project. They cover payments for practices and primary care information management systems and are currently being tested for conformance to standards and operation with existing GP systems. Once the technical testing has been successfully completed, a programme to roll out the new systems will begin from September 2004, with guidance, training and support being delivered alongside.
	As stated in our policy document, Delivering 21st Century IT Support for the NHS, published in June 2002, the programme will be implemented in phases, with phase onethe national bookings service, the national prescriptions service, and the NHS care record serviceto be implemented by the end of 2005. Phase two covers implementation by 2008, to include a richer NHS care record service, with core data and reference links to local electronic patient record systems for full record access.
	An additional third phase is planned for implementation between 2008 and 2010 to provide ambulance telemonitoring implemented in all emergency response vehicles, home telemonitoring in all homes requiring it, and a unified health record that includes all appropriate social care information.
	There will be full implementation of person-based electronic health records, as set out in Information for Health, published in 1998. The national programme will be building on this to create substantial additional functionality in the period up to 2010.

NHS Costs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest estimated annual costs incurred by the NHS as the result of (a) alcohol, (b) tobacco and (c) other drug use are.

Melanie Johnson: The estimated annual cost of alcohol misuse to the national health service is around 1.6 billion in England.
	The latest figures available indicate that smoking costs the NHS up to 1.7 billion a year in England.
	Information on the total cost of drug misuse to the NHS is not available. However, in 200304, the Government's pooled budget totalled 243.6 million for the treatment of drug misusers. It is estimated that a further 200 million of mainstream funds was spent on the treatment of drug misuse.

Patient Involvement Activity

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each year since 1997 the amount of money spent on (a) community health councils, (b) the Commission for Public Patient Involvement, (c) patients forums, (d) the Independent Complaint and Advocacy services and (e) other patient involvement activity.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table. The data relating to the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) and patients' forums is shown as a single amount because there is no separate budget for patients' forums and the CPPIH is responsible for allocating funds to them. It is not possible to quantify how much is being spent on other patient involvement activities as these are primarily undertaken by and funded by the national health service locally.
	
		 million
		
			  Community Health Councils CPPIH and patients' forums Independent Complaints Advocacy Services 
		
		
			 199798 22.561 n/a n/a 
			 199899 22.561 n/a n/a 
			 19992000 23 n/a n/a 
			 200001 23 n/a n/a 
			 200102 23 n/a n/a 
			 200203 23 3.27 n/a 
			 200304 15 30.192 4.4

Public Bodies

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation intends to republish its Green Book; and whether it will be made available online.

Melanie Johnson: Work on the new edition of the Green Book is being actively undertaken at present and as each chapter is completed and agreed by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation it will be put on the web. These chapters are water-marked 'Draft', as they will be subject to sub-editorial changes when they are published as a complete volume.
	The current work involves a complete re-drafting of all of the contents. When all of the chapters and the final editing is completed, the book will be issued in hard copy form. We are aiming to publish the new edition by the end of the year.
	The draft chapters now available can be found on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/greenbook.

Public Bodies

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on the Patient Information Advisory Group in the last financial year for which figures are available; how many times a year this group is scheduled to meet; and when it last met.

Rosie Winterton: The patient information advisory group spent 150,000 in 200304. The group is scheduled to meet four times a year, but has flexibility to meet more frequently if required. The group last met on 28 April 2004.

Sativex

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Sativex will be licensed; and what restrictions will be placed on its prescription.

Melanie Johnson: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will grant a licence for Sativex only when satisfactory data have been provided to demonstrate that the product is efficacious, safe and of adequate quality for its intended use.
	In accordance with the Government's undertaking given in 1998 to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 would be amended to permit Sativex to be prescribed by doctors, if it is successful in gaining a marketing authorisation from the MHRA.
	The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has recommended that if Sativex is authorised, it should be placed in Schedule 4 Part I of these regulations. It would also attract prescription-only-medicine status, but the scheduling would impose no additional restriction upon prescribing. If authorised, manufacturers and wholesalers would be required to be licensed to produce and supply the product, and would have to comply with the regulatory requirements on record keeping and destruction.

TREASURY

Gun Trafficking

Diane Abbott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the level of priority given to gun trafficking by HM Customs.

John Healey: In the Government's response to the All Party Parliamentary Group's report, Combating the Threat of Gun Violence, published in March, we said that HM Customs and Excise's prioritisation would be addressed as part of a joint action plan. Customs deploy their resources on the basis of risk assessment driven by intelligence, which maximises their impact in enforcing a range of prohibitions and restrictions, including those relating to firearms. They respond to all specific intelligence on firearms. Strategic threat assessments produced by NCIS and Customs will inform future action. Meanwhile Customs are working with NCIS and other partners in the ACPO Strategic Criminal Use of Firearms Group to improve intelligence gathering and assessment and to contribute to activity under the joint action plan.

Stroke Deaths

Andy King: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many deaths occurred in the last year due tostroke in (a) Rugby and Kenilworth and (b) England;
	(2)  how many deaths occurred in the last year due to peripheral vascular disease in (a) Rugby and Kenilworth and (b) England.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Andy King, dated 26 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions concerning the number of deaths due to peripheral vascular disease and stroke in the last year in (a) Rugby and Kenilworth and (b) England. I am replying in his absence. (174964, 174962)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2002. Figures in the attached table are provided for the local authorities of Rugby and Warwick. The parliamentary constituency of Rugby and Kenilworth contains the whole of Rugby local authority and part of Warwick local authority. To protect against the release of potentially disclosive information, figures have not been provided for the constituency as its electoral ward boundaries are not coterminous with the local authority boundaries.
	Cause of death has been defined using the International Classification of Diseases. Within this there is a clearly agreed definition of stroke deaths but not of peripheral vascular disease. Following medical advice, the numbers provided in the table below are for all deaths from diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries, excluding thoracic aortic aneurysms.
	
		Deaths from diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries, and from stroke(10): England, and Rugby and Warwick local authorities(11), 200203 -- Number of deaths
		
			 Area Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries Stroke 
		
		
			 England 11,806 55,239 
			
			 Rugby 19 88 
			 Warwick 41 152 
		
	
	(10)   The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).
	(11)   Usual residents of these areas.
	(12)   Deaths in the calendar year 2002.
	The codes used were as follows:
	ICD-10 170178Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries:
	170Atherosclerosis
	171Aortic aneurysm and dissection, excluding:
	171.1Thoracic aortic aneurysm, ruptured
	171.2Thoracic aortic aneurysm, without mention of rupture
	172Other aneurysm
	173Other peripheral vascular diseases
	174Arterial embolism and thrombosis
	177Other disorders of arteries and arterioles
	178Diseases of capillaries
	ICD-10160169Cerebrovascular disease (Stroke).

Airport Tax

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much airport tax was raised by passengers using Northern Ireland's three main airports in the latest financial year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information is not available in the format requested. Revenue figures for air passenger duty are collected for the UK as a whole and are not broken down by devolved country or region. Air passenger duty revenue figures can be found in table 2.1 D of Financial Statistics, published by the Office for National Statistics.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Inland Revenue has taken to identify economic sectors with a high incidence of trading with developing countries in which there would be an increased risk of companies seeking tax relief on illegal payments.

Dawn Primarolo: The UK does not allow tax relief for bribes. These payments are most likely to be distinguished in the profit and loss account as fees, commissions and entertaining, and therefore, would come to light through local initiatives looking at companies with large fees and commission entries plus evidence of business with countries where bribery can occur.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether overseas bribery is one of the risk factors taken into account when the Inland Revenue considers which tax returns to examine in detail.

Dawn Primarolo: For obvious reasons, the Inland Revenue does not publicise its risk assessment criteria.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Inland Revenue has taken to ensure that (a) UK companies do not claim bribes paid overseas as tax deductible and (b) its staff are trained to detect bribes paid overseas in UK company tax returns.

Dawn Primarolo: The UK does not allow tax relief for bribes. Claims to bribes would be detected as part of our normal risk assessment programme. The legislation covering non-deductibility of illegal payments is at section 577A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act. Training on detection of bribes paid overseas by UK companies is included in the Inland Revenue's basic training for new tax inspectors and in the programme of technical updates for existing inspectors. In addition, extensive guidance is available in the Business Income Manual, together with instructions for submitting suspect cases to Revenue Policy, Business Tax for advice.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many instances of overseas bribery the Inland Revenue has detected since February 2002; and what action it has taken.

Dawn Primarolo: Section 577A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 disallows the deduction of any payment, the making of which would constitute the commission of a criminal offence in the UK. If the payment is made outside the UK, it is also disallowed if the same payment made in the UK would have been a criminal offence.
	Where a claim for such expenditure is discovered, the amount would be added back in the tax computation and the additional tax would be recovered together with interest and penalties where due.
	The Inland Revenue, as with many classes of expenditure, does not keep central records of expenditure disallowed under this provision.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects a reply to be made to the letter to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, dated 6 April 2004, from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan, regarding import tax and antiques.

John Healey: I replied to the hon. Member on 14 May 2004.

E-Government

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many management consultants have been employed on the Inland Revenue e-Government programme; from what dates they were employed; and what the cost to the Inland Revenue of the consultants has been to date.

Dawn Primarolo: Consultants have been employed for varying periods since the formal establishment of the Inland Revenue 'e' services programme in April 2001 to bring in specialist skills in 'e' as well as for the strategic development and management of its programme. There are now 39 consultants employed on either a part-time or full-time basis.
	The estimated cost of consultants to date is 13.5million.

Head Teachers

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Budget Statement of 17 March 2004, if he will make a statement regarding the 200506 payment to headteachers of secondary schools and its relationship to planned increases in Schools Standard Grant and Devolved Formula.

Ruth Kelly: In his Budget statement, the Chancellor said that in 200506, heads would receive direct payments that sum to 55,000 for a typical primary and 180,000 for a typical secondary school. These totals are the combination of the School Standards Grant and Devolved Formula Capital. The Chancellor also announced that, in the UK, we will be spending on education an additional 8.5 billion in 200708 compared to 200506.

Income Tax (Pensioners)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of pensioners aged over 80 years pay income tax.

Dawn Primarolo: Around 32 per cent. of pensioners aged over 80 years pay income tax. This estimate is based upon the 200102 Survey of Personal Incomes and ONS 2001 and 2002 mid year population estimates.

Museums

Jim Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the VAT Refund Scheme to include private museums that hold national designated collections, for the purpose of recovering VAT on expenditure incurred in National Lottery-funded projects.

John Healey: Like any other business, private museums can recover VAT incurred on buying goods and services providing those purchases relate to their taxable business activities. This would be the case where a museum is providing museum entry where admission charges are taxable at the standard rate of VAT.
	Under the normal VAT rules provided for in the European Sixth VAT Directive, VAT incurred on goods and services relating to non-business activities, such as providing free entry to museums, cannot be recovered. This is also the case where VAT is incurred on exempt business activities, such as providing museum entry where no VAT is applied to admission charges under the VAT exemption for cultural bodies. The source of such an organisation's funding cannot be used to determine its VAT position.
	However, since September 2001, the Government have provided a refund scheme that allows the main national museums and galleries which do not charge for admission to recover VAT they incur on related purchases. This scheme removes the obstacle VAT was creating to the delivery of our 1997 manifesto commitment that there should be free access to the main national museums and galleries.
	That commitment has been an outstanding success. In this year's Budget, the Chancellor announced that, building on that success and on the recommendation of the Goodison Review, we are considering in the context of the forthcoming Spending Review extending the free access commitment for the main national museums and galleries, and the VAT refund scheme that has helped to deliver it, to university museums.
	For bodies in receipt of National Lottery funding, irrecoverable VAT can be included as eligible project expenditure for lottery support. By funding this cost, the Heritage Lottery Fund's grant assessment process ensures that lottery-funded projects are not disadvantaged if they incur VAT on their expenditure. Any VAT recovered under a refund scheme should, therefore, be excluded from any grant awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Payroll Adjustments

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) upward and (b) downward payroll adjustments an employer may have to make as a result of the policies of his Department.

Dawn Primarolo: All employers have to run a payroll to ensure their employees receive the right amount of wages or salary. It might require upwards or downwards adjustment to reflect changes to an employee's Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax codes, National Insurance Contributions or working tax credit.

Portable Appliance Testing

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often his Department and its associated public bodies undergo portable appliance testing; and what the cost of testing is.

Ruth Kelly: Portable appliance testing is carried out in my Departments and agencies on the basis of regular programmes in accordance with guidelines issued by the Health and Safety Executive. For HM Treasury, Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, the Valuation Office and the Office for National Statistics, the costs of testing fall within the building management charges and are not separately available. For the other Departments, the total combined approximate annual cost is 20,000.

Science and Innovation Committee

Ian Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the membership of the cross-departmental committee on the 10-year investment framework on science and innovation is; on what dates it has met; if he will publish the minutes of the meetings; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The development of a 10-year investment framework for science and innovation is overseen by a Ministerial Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and attended by Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Innovation, and Alan Johnson, Minister for Higher Education. The Director General of the Research Councils, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and senior officials also attend. This group met on 10 March, and is meeting again on 20 May. An official-level group supports the ministerial group and has met on three occasions so far. Representatives at both official and ministerial level on both groups are also members of other committees with overlapping policy interests.
	Minutes of the ministerial meeting constitute internal discussion and advice and are therefore not published: Exemption 2 of the Open Government Code applies. However, the conclusions of these meetings will be reflected in the Government's science and innovation investment framework document, which will be published alongside the Spending Review this summer.

Secondments

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department and its agencies were seconded from the (a) private and (b) academic sector in each of the last three years.

Ruth Kelly: The following table provides the number of people identified through central records that have been seconded into the Chancellor's Department and agencies from the private and academic sectors during each of the last three financial years.
	
		
			200102   200203   200304 
			  Private Academic Private Academic Private Academic 
		
		
			 HM Treasury 1 1 5 0 8 0 
			 Inland Revenue 11 0 8 0 3 1 
			 Customs and Excise 1 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Royal Mint 0 0 1 0 1 0 
			 Valuation Office 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Debt Management Office 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 National Savings and Investments 3 0 3 0 0 0 
			 Office of National Statistics (13) (13) (13) (13) (13) (13) 
			 Government Actuaries Department 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Office of Government Commerce 0 0 2 0 3 0 
			 Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions 0 0 0 0 1 0 
		
	
	(13)   The ONS do not distinguish its inward secondees by private and academic sectors and cannot provide this information.

Sickness Absence

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days' sick leave were taken by employees of (a) Customs and Excise and (b) the Inland Revenue in each year since 2000; and what the estimated cost was in each year.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 20 April 2004
	The information is as follows:
	(a) The number of sickness absence days taken by employees of Customs and Excise since 2000 are:
	
		
			 Calendar year Average working days sickness absence per staff year 
		
		
			 2000 9.0 
			 2001 8.7 
			 2002 9.0 
		
	
	(b) The number of sickness absence days taken by employees of the Inland Revenue since 2000 are:
	
		
			 Calendar year Average working days sickness absence per staff 
		
		
			 2000 10.9 
			 2001 9.5 
			 2002 10.5 
		
	
	Reliable information on the cost of sickness absence is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Statistical information for 2003 has not yet been published. Sickness absence targets for Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue are reported in the relevant Departmental and Annual Reports. Both Departments are currently reviewing their sickness absence management policies.

Tax Rates

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised in (a) business rates, (b) corporation tax and (c) taxation from (i) the renewable sector, (ii) the creative arts sector, (iii) the financial sector and (iv) research companies in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The information on business rates and total taxation for the four sectors specified in the question is not available.
	Corporation Tax figures for the financial sector are available at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/corporate   tax (Table 11.7). Figures for earlier years are published in Inland Revenue Statistics 2000. The figures include companies classified as banking, finance and insurance.
	It is not possible to separately identify the creative arts sector for Corporation Tax purposes. However, figures for 'recreational services', which include certain creative arts companies, are given in the following table.
	
		Recreational services
		
			  Corporation tax payable ( million) 
		
		
			 199798 360 
			 199899 375 
			 19992000 354 
			 200001 314 
			 200102 317 
		
	
	It is not possible to separately identify companies in the renewable sector nor research companies from central Corporation Tax records.

Teenage Pregnancy

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many conceptions there were for women aged between 11 and 19 years since 2000 in the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon Strategic Health Authority, broken down by age.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Drew, dated 26 May 2004
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on conceptions. (176120)
	The information you requested on conceptions was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W1208W.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Adult Disadvantages

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will re-calculate the figures on adult disadvantages set out in the answer of 20 March 2003, Official Report, column 911W, to include retirement on 31 December 2003.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not currently available. We expect the information to be available in June and when it is, I will arrange for it to be placed in the Library.

Benefits (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood)

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood have gained work through the New Deal programmes.

Jane Kennedy: 490 lone parents in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998. Figures for lone parents who have gained work through other New Deal Programmes are not available.

Benefits (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood)

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many senior citizens in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood have benefited from the winter fuel allowance since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of senior citizens in the Blackpool, North and Walton constituency who received a winter fuel payment in each year since 19992000 (including provisional figures for 200304) is in the table. Information relating to the 199798 and 199899 winters is not available.
	
		
			  Payments made 
		
		
			 19992000 23,075 
			 200001 25,235 
			 200102 25,440 
			 200203 25,565 
			 200304 25,610 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.
	2. Please note that the figures for 20032004 refer only to the main payment run i.e. they do not include the late payment run figures. We estimate that there are approximately 100,000 people in Great Britain paid via late payment runs (0.8 per cent. of all payments). However, since late payment runs are mainly in respect of non-system cases whose claim had not been received by Qualifying Week, they are heavily skewed towards men aged 60.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. samples.

Careers Guidance

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he will ensure that adults in (a) temporary work and (b) work where their skills are under-utilised will be able to access expert advice and guidance in order to improve their employability.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	All adults aged 20 and over, including those in temporary work and work where their skills are under utilised, have access to impartial information and advice about learning and work, quality assured to the matrix Standard. In August 2004, the Learning and Skills Council will launch an integrated Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) service giving easy access to a consistent range of national and local information and advice services aimed at helping individuals to improve their employability.

Correspondence

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will take steps to cease the practice in his Department of sending correspondence without a clearly identifiable signature of the sender;
	(2)  what his Department's policy is on the signing of documents, including correspondence, in the name of a person by a third party who does not make his or her position clear.

Jane Kennedy: Current procedure on correspondence in the Department of Work and Pensions is that our staff are required to use either their full name or their title and surname (with initial if preferred). All details given should be legible.
	In some circumstances, so as not to compromise safety, managers may decide that it is appropriate for staff to sign off their letters with the name of their manager and section, or office manager and section. Managers may also approve the use of an office name where they deem it fitting. Such measures are subject to a suitable system being in place to enable the author of the letter to be identified where needed.
	We are currently working to improve the general quality of our correspondence in DWP. Much of this correspondence is computer generated, rather than produced and signed by an individual. The key issue in both cases is that the customer is provided with a contact for further inquiries.
	I have asked officials to look at current practice in the Department and to bring guidance to the attention of all staff who write to customers.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 21 April with regard to Mr. G. Forde.

Andrew Smith: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 18 May.

Health and Safety

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has received the report of the Health and Safety Commission on the effectiveness of the current strategy to promote directors' responsibility for health and safety, the success of the voluntary approach and the need for further legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Ministers received the Health and Safety Commission's report in January on the effectiveness of the current strategy to promote directors' responsibility for health and safety, the success of the voluntary approach and the need for further legislation. Ministers accepted the Commission's view that the current voluntary approach is working, that further legislation is not needed at the moment but that this would be kept under review.

Identity Theft

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce identity theft in areas within the remit of his Department and its agencies.

Chris Pond: Our overall aim is to always establish the correct identity of a person prior to providing a benefit or service. We are committed to ensuring that National Insurance Numbers are issued, used and controlled correctly and we will continue to develop and implement strategies that enable us to achieve this.
	We have established a secure system for the allocation of National Insurance Numbers to adults, conducting rigorous checks to ensure that adult National Insurance Numbers are only issued to those who had undergone an evidence of identity interview.
	We closely monitor 15 million inactive accounts for deceased persons and any attempt to activate one of these accounts will be investigated.
	We are also working with the Home Office ID card project to ensure that full and appropriate use is made of ID cards, when available, in accessing DWP systems.

National Insurance

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the expenditure on national insurance rebates for those contracted out of SERPS or the second state pension in each year from 199697 to 200506.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		
			 Tax year Estimated rebate cost ( billion) 
		
		
			 199697 6.9 
			 199798 7.6 
			 199899 7.8 
			 19992000 8.3 
			 200001 9.1 
			 200102 9.5 
			 200203 11.1 
			 200304 11.5 
			 200405 11.9 
			 200506 11.9 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are for Great Britain and are in cash terms except for 200506 which is in 200405 prices. They are consistent with the long-term Public Expenditure Survey undertaken in February 2004.
	Source:
	Government Actuary's Department

Pension Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of (a) pensioner households and (b) individual pensioners eligible for pension credit (i) this year and (ii) in each of the next 10 years.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of the numbers of people eligible for pension credit, based on data from the Family Resources Survey for 200203, will be available early in June. The information will be placed in the Library.

Pensioner Poverty

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what total Government financial support to the poorest 10 per cent. of pensioners was in each of the last 30 years, expressed at today's prices.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested as information on spending on pensioners by decile directly is not recorded.
	However latest Households Below Average Income (HBAI) figures show that we have made good progress in tackling pensioner poverty. Two thirds fewer pensioners1.8 million older peoplewere in absolute low income in 200203 compared with 199697.
	Our strategy is to seek to maintain and support the major contribution made by the private pension sector in enabling pensioners to share in increased economic well being, and to target state resources on improving the position of the poorest relative to rising national prosperity. Since the introduction of pension credit the poorest third of pensioner households will be 1,750 a year (33 per week) better off in 200405, compared with the 1997 system.

Pensioner Poverty

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the poorest third of pensioners received in each year since 1998; and what that sum would have been in each year had the State Pension been linked to earnings.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested.
	In 199798, pensioners in the lowest third of the pensioner income distribution received an average of 102.12 per week in state benefits. In 200203 they received an average of 134.38.
	Including private income, these pensioners received 104.81 in 199798, 139.73 in 200203.
	If the basic State Pension had been linked to earnings since April 1998, on top of policies introduced since 1997 (including pension credit), these pensioners would have received an extra 2.10 a week overall on average in 200304. If the earnings link had been in place instead of the policies that were in fact introduced they would have lost on average 22.90.
	All figures are in cash terms.

Seasonal Fruit Pickers

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what monitoring takes place to ensure the health and safety of seasonal fruit pickers.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 24 May 2004
	Seasonal fruit pickers may be exposed to a range of hazards at fruit and vegetable production and packing sites including: transport; machinery; manual handling; noise; slips, trips and falls; and dermatitis. These hazards are common to full and part time workers, including casual or seasonal workers. Health and safety law applies equally to all employees.
	Inspectors from HSE's Field Operations Directorate monitor health and safety in agriculture in line with HSE's Agriculture Sector Strategic Programme. Informed by local knowledge and intelligence this is discharged in practice by a range of inspection activities including planned, targeted preventive (proactive) inspection, health and safety blitzes, projects targeted at specific sectors or topics, and the investigation of reported accidents and complaints.

Spelthorne Borough Council

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much administration grant was paid to Spelthorne borough council in 200304 to cover the cost of operating the council tax benefit scheme; and what proportion of the council's costs this grant covered.

Chris Pond: Spelthorne borough council was paid 144,762 specifically for council tax benefit administration costs in 200304. However, this does not include the extra funding for administering this scheme that has arisen due to the increase caseloads following the introduction of the new tax credit and pension credit schemes. The grant is not ring-fenced, but is a targeted grant and represents just one part of Spelthorne's total housing and council tax benefits administration subsidy funding.
	The total housing and council tax benefits administration grant paid to Spelthorne borough council for 200304 was 509,893; it is for the local authority to decide how much it apportions between the administration of the two benefits.
	Spelthorne borough council report that the estimated cost of administering council tax benefit for 200304 was 307,000; however, final figures are in the process of being collected.
	In addition to the administration grant, a further 56,566 has been paid through the Security Against Fraud and Error (SAFE) scheme. This covers the first three quarters of 200304. The final quarter is yet to be finalised; a further payment will be made accordingly.

Winter Fuel Allowance

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the additional 100 being paid to over 70s in Northern Ireland will be included in the winter fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The intention is that the one-off 70+ payment to eligible households will be included with the 200405 winter fuel payment which is paid automatically to the vast majority of those entitled to it. People in Northern Ireland who do not get a winter fuel payment will need to claim the one-off payment from the Department for Social Development before 31 March 2005.